Field Marshal Mourns Slain Intelligence Chief as Terrorism Returns to Benghazi

BENGHAZI- Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army, offered his condolences to the family of Lieutenant General Fawzi al-Mansouri, Director of Military Intelligence, joined by several senior commanders. He praised al-Mansouri’s service and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, affirming that his legacy will guide future generations of officers.

The assassination, and the return of terrorism pushes Benghazi-based government into a tougher new set of challenges. The eastern region has been a victim of terrorism since 2011 and paid a heavy price to root it out.

Al-Mansouri was no ordinary loss. A close aide to the Field Marshal and a veteran of the war against militants that Haftar led and won, he played a key role in the Tripoli campaign against armed factions. As Sabha commander in the south, he tore out the roots of militants and smugglers in 2022. Then came the top intelligence post. A professional soldier with major victories and deep experience , killed at that level.

All this comes at a critical moment, especially with the unification process under way under US and international sponsorship. With the Benghazi-based government at the center of that axis, the assassination raises questions of trust. Time is short. Benghazi’s authorities must catch those responsible and bring them to justice , unlike Tripoli, where the killings of military chiefs, senior commanders, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi (son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi), and pro-government militia figure Abdulghani al-Kikli, known as Ghanewa, remain unresolved.