Head Military Command of Libyan Rebels Killed

By Jack Phillips
July 28, 2011

The military commander for Libyan rebels fighting against forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi was killed by assassins on Thursday, according to media reports.

Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the head of the rebels’ National Transitional Council said General Abdel Fatah Younes was shot dead by gunmen at a press conference in Benghazi, the stronghold for opposition fighters, reported AFP.

Younes was called back to Benghazi from the field for questioning regarding his family’s ties to Gadhafi. Before the start of the uprising in February, he served as the minister of the interior for the veteran strongman.

Jalil said that there were rumors that Younes was captured and killed by rebel forces. “I ask you to refrain from paying attention to the rumors that Gadhafi’s forces are trying to spread within our ranks,” he said.

Once considered the number two man in Gadhafi’s regime, Younes remained a controversial figure within the rebel ranks as some questioned whether or not he had really joined their side. When he joined the rebels, it was seen as a key boost in the battle against Gadhafi.

Jalil said Younes was “one of the heroes of the 17th of February revolution,” according to Al Jazeera, in reference to one of the first protests against Gadhafi’s rule, following protests that swept through other Arab nations.

Two of Younes’ aides, Col Muhammad Khamis and Nasir al-Madhkur, were also killed on Thursday’s attack, reported the BBC.

Several media reports noted that the circumstances around Younes’ assassination were not clear. Jalil did not say whether or not he was killed by pro-Gadhafi forces.

The rebels are attempt to overcome a military stalemate after nearly six months of fighting against Gadhafi’s regime.

Source: The Epoch Times.
Link: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/head-military-command-of-libyan-rebels-killed-59712.html.