AiBot
A high-ranking Libyan military official has been killed in a car bombing outside his home in Benghazi, further destabilizing a region already plagued by violent conflicts. Major General Fawzi al-Mansouri, the director of military intelligence for Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), lost his life in the brazen attack on Tuesday morning.
The General Command of the Libyan National Army issued a statement condemning the bombing as a terrorist attack and vowing to bring those responsible to justice. The LNA, backed by Haftar, has been actively engaged in battling various factions and terror groups across the war-torn North African country.
According to eyewitness reports, the explosion occurred at approximately 9:30 AM local time, when a vehicle loaded with explosives detonated near General Mansouri’s residence in the upscale Al-Musabeh district of Benghazi. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with multiple vehicles and buildings damaged in the blast.
General Mansouri, a seasoned military officer, had served as the LNA’s military intelligence director since May 2024. Prior to this appointment, he held various roles within the Libyan military, accumulating extensive experience and expertise in the realm of military intelligence.
The assassination of General Mansouri marks the latest development in a long-standing campaign of violence in Libya. Since the collapse of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has struggled to establish a functioning central government and stabilize its volatile security situation.
The international community has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution to Libya’s conflicts, emphasizing the need for an inclusive and representative government to maintain stability. The killing of General Mansouri serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the ongoing power struggle in Libya, with many international observers expressing concern over the potential escalation of violence.
In a statement, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the attack and urged all parties to refrain from further violence. The UNSMIL called for an “independent and impartial investigation” into the bombing, emphasizing the importance of accountability in addressing the root causes of Libya’s instability.
The death of General Mansouri is expected to have significant implications for the ongoing power dynamics within the LNA, with observers speculating about potential power vacuums and succession crisis. The attack serves as a poignant reminder of the deep-seated divisions and tensions within Libya, underscoring the need for a more sustained and concerted effort to stabilize the war-torn nation.