Changes

In March 2010 Abdulhakim Belhadj was released from Abu Salim prison in [[Libya]]<ref>http://docslide.us/documents/updated-fact-sheet-may-4-2013.html</ref> after serving 6 years in custody. Belhadj had brought to Libya under the CIA's [[extraordinary rendition]] program in 2004. Belhadj was chased out of Libya by Gaddafi in 1988<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Libya’s rebel leader with a past|author=Vicken Cheterian|journal=[[Le Monde Diplomatique]]|date=May 2012 |url=http://mondediplo.com/2012/05/08libya }}</ref> and arrived in [[Afghanistan]] where he joined the [[Taliban]].<ref name=LeMondeTime>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2091744,00.html|title='We Are Simply Muslim': Libyan Rebel Chief Denies Al-Qaeda Ties|newspaper=Time Magazine|date=4 September 2011|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="asharq">{{cite news|url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26357|title=From Holy warrior to hero of a revolution: Abdelhakim Belhadj| newspaper=Asharq Alawsat|accessdate=}}</ref> After the Taliban captured Kabul in 1992 he returned to Libya where he and others formed the [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG). Belhadj was reported to have followed [[Osama Bin Laden]] when the [[al-Qaeda]] leader moved the center of its operations from Afghanistan to [[Sudan]] in 1996.<ref name=":0">Burr, J. Millard (2014-10-13). "Libya – Ali al-Salabi and the Re-Emerging Muslim Brotherhood." American Center for Democracy.</ref> The relation between LIGF and al-Qaeda was officially confirmed in October 2001, when the UN Security Council designated the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group as a terrorist entity for its association with al-Qaeda, Bin Laden and the Taliban. The [[UN Security Council]] specified that the LIFG relation with al-Qaeda was substantiated through the group’s involvement in  

In March 2010 Abdulhakim Belhadj was released from Abu Salim prison in [[Libya]]<ref>http://docslide.us/documents/updated-fact-sheet-may-4-2013.html</ref> after serving 6 years in custody. Belhadj had brought to Libya under the CIA's [[extraordinary rendition]] program in 2004. Belhadj was chased out of Libya by Gaddafi in 1988<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Libya’s rebel leader with a past|author=Vicken Cheterian|journal=[[Le Monde Diplomatique]]|date=May 2012 |url=http://mondediplo.com/2012/05/08libya }}</ref> and arrived in [[Afghanistan]] where he joined the [[Taliban]].<ref name=LeMondeTime>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2091744,00.html|title='We Are Simply Muslim': Libyan Rebel Chief Denies Al-Qaeda Ties|newspaper=Time Magazine|date=4 September 2011|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="asharq">{{cite news|url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26357|title=From Holy warrior to hero of a revolution: Abdelhakim Belhadj| newspaper=Asharq Alawsat|accessdate=}}</ref> After the Taliban captured Kabul in 1992 he returned to Libya where he and others formed the [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG). Belhadj was reported to have followed [[Osama Bin Laden]] when the [[al-Qaeda]] leader moved the center of its operations from Afghanistan to [[Sudan]] in 1996.<ref name=":0">Burr, J. Millard (2014-10-13). "Libya – Ali al-Salabi and the Re-Emerging Muslim Brotherhood." American Center for Democracy.</ref> The relation between LIGF and al-Qaeda was officially confirmed in October 2001, when the UN Security Council designated the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group as a terrorist entity for its association with al-Qaeda, Bin Laden and the Taliban. The [[UN Security Council]] specified that the LIFG relation with al-Qaeda was substantiated through the group’s involvement in  

{{Quotebox|"the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of," "supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to" or "otherwise supporting acts or activities of" Al-Qaida [...], Usama bin Laden and the Taliban."<ref>https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/entity/libyan-islamic-fighting-group</ref> }}In 2002 an arrest warrant was issued for Belhadj by the Libyan authorities after Gaddafi's reconciliation with Western powers and three assassination attempt's on Gaddafi's life by the LIFG. The arrest warrant alleged that Belhadj had developed "close relationships" with al-Qaeda leaders, and specifically Taliban chief Mullah Omar, and to have run and financed training camps for Arab mujahideen fighters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14786753|title=Profile: Libyan rebel commander Abdel Hakim Belhaj|newspaper=BBC News|date=5 September 2011|accessdate=}}</ref> After the US invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, Belhadj fled and was arrested in [[Malaysia]] in 2004 where he was rendered by the CIA to Libya.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Special report: Rendition ordeal that raises new questions about secret trials |author=Ian Cobain|newspaper=The Guardian |date=8 April 2012|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/08/special-report-britain-rendition-libya}}</ref>

{{Quotebox|"the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of," "supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to" or "otherwise supporting acts or activities of" Al-Qaida [...], Usama bin Laden and the Taliban."<ref>https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries/entity/libyan-islamic-fighting-group</ref> }}In 2002 an arrest warrant was issued for Belhadj by the Libyan authorities after Gaddafi's reconciliation with Western powers and three assassination attempt's on Gaddafi's life by the LIFG. The arrest warrant alleged that Belhadj had developed "close relationships" with al-Qaeda leaders, and specifically Taliban chief Mullah Omar, and to have run and financed training camps for Arab mujahideen fighters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14786753|title=Profile: Libyan rebel commander Abdel Hakim Belhaj|newspaper=BBC News|date=5 September 2011|accessdate=}}</ref> After the US invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, Belhadj fled and was arrested in [[Malaysia]] in 2004 where he was rendered by the CIA to Libya.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Special report: Rendition ordeal that raises new questions about secret trials |author=Ian Cobain|newspaper=The Guardian |date=8 April 2012|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/08/special-report-britain-rendition-libya}}</ref>

on Friday March 8, 2011, President Obama told reporters he would appoint an official to maintain contact with the "Libyan opposition." The number two official at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, [[Christopher Stevens]]<ref>[http://abcnewsradioonline.com/world-news/us-names-chris-stevens-liaison-to-libyan-opposition.html US Names Chris Stevens Liaison to Libyan Opposition,]  ABC News Radio, March 14, 2011.</ref>  was tasked with helping to coordinate assistance to the "rebels," whose top military commander, Abdelhakim Belhadj, was the leader of the Al Qaeda affiliate, the [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG).<ref>[http://counterjihadreport.com/tag/libyan-islamic-fighting-group/ ‘White Out’ on Benghazi: State Dept. Issues Report,] Clare Lopez, December 23, 2012. http://counterjihadreport.com</ref> Hillary Clinton attended a meeting in Paris with Stevens and representatives of the "Libyan opposition," as did U.S. Ambassador Gene Cretz, who has also had contacts with the "opposition." Clinton discussed what she persuaded the Obama administration to do to help the [[jihad]]is, and that they would do more than just provide humanitarian aid.

on Friday March 8, 2011, President Obama told reporters he would appoint an official to maintain contact with the "Libyan opposition." The number two official at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, [[Christopher Stevens]]<ref>[http://abcnewsradioonline.com/world-news/us-names-chris-stevens-liaison-to-libyan-opposition.html US Names Chris Stevens Liaison to Libyan Opposition,]  ABC News Radio, March 14, 2011.</ref>  was tasked with helping to coordinate assistance to the "rebels," whose top military commander, Abdelhakim Belhadj, was the leader of the Al Qaeda affiliate, the [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG).<ref>[http://counterjihadreport.com/tag/libyan-islamic-fighting-group/ ‘White Out’ on Benghazi: State Dept. Issues Report,] Clare Lopez, December 23, 2012. http://counterjihadreport.com</ref> Hillary Clinton attended a meeting in Paris with Stevens and representatives of the "Libyan opposition," as did U.S. Ambassador Gene Cretz, who has also had contacts with the "opposition." Clinton discussed what she persuaded the Obama administration to do to help the [[jihad]]is, and that they would do more than just provide humanitarian aid.

''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' reported on April 2, 2011 about Americans' training terrorists in the port city of Derna;<ref>https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703712504576237042432212406</ref> when the Americans left to concentrate on the Syrian operation, terrorists beheaded people in front of small children as part of their training.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3110801/What-children-seen-ISIS-beheads-Libyan-soldier-outside-mosque-education-purposes-youngsters-don-t-shocked.html </ref> The [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG) is centered in and around Derna and Benghazi. The Sinjar documents<ref>[https://www.ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Sinjar_2_FINAL.pdf Sinjar Documents]</ref><ref>The Sinjar Documents are a collection of al Qaeda computer data captured by Americans in 2007 in a predawn raid near Sinjar, Iraq, six miles from the Syrian border.</ref> captured during the Iraq insurgency revealed 20% of all Iraq insurgents came from Derna, Sirte, and Misurata, 82% of which volunteered for suicide attacks. In 2015 twenty-one Christians in Derna were beheaded ''enmasse''.

''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' reported on April 2, 2011 about Americans' training terrorists in the port city of Derna;<ref>https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703712504576237042432212406</ref> when the Americans left to concentrate on the Syrian operation, terrorists beheaded people in front of small children as part of their training.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3110801/What-children-seen-ISIS-beheads-Libyan-soldier-outside-mosque-education-purposes-youngsters-don-t-shocked.html </ref> The [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG) is centered in and around Derna and Benghazi. The Sinjar documents<ref>[https://www.ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Sinjar_2_FINAL.pdf Sinjar Documents]</ref><ref>The Sinjar Documents are a collection of al Qaeda computer data captured by Americans in 2007 in a predawn raid near Sinjar, Iraq, six miles from the Syrian border.</ref> captured during the Iraq insurgency revealed 20% of all Iraq insurgents came from Derna, Sirte, and Misurata, 82% of which volunteered for suicide attacks. In 2015 twenty-one Christians in Derna were beheaded ''enmasse''.

On February 22, 2012, in a show of [[bipartisan]]ship, Senators [[Richard Blumenthal]], [[John McCain]], and [[Lindsey Graham]] visited Libya and meet with Abdulhakim Belhadj, who was put in charge of training jihadis in Eastern Libya (principally Derna and Benghazi) by the Obama administration for the second leg of Operation Zero Footprint in Syria.

On February 22, 2012, in a show of [[bipartisan]]ship, Senators [[Richard Blumenthal]], [[John McCain]], and [[Lindsey Graham]] visited Libya and meet with Abdulhakim Belhadj, who was put in charge of training jihadis in Eastern Libya (principally Derna and Benghazi) by the Obama administration for the second leg of Operation Zero Footprint in Syria.

The [[Benghazi rebellion]] started as a series of protests in eastern [[Libya]] on February 16, 2011. Ansar al-Shariah, an offshoot of Al-Qaida in the Maghreb (AQIM), vowed to overthrow [[secular]] strongman [[Muammar Gaddafi]]<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/24/al-qaeda-in-n-africa-backs-libya-uprising-site.html Al Qaeda in N. Africa backs Libya uprising: SITE]</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/07/libya-uprising-live-updates Libya uprising.]</ref> and establish [[Sharia]].  

The [[Benghazi rebellion]] started as a series of protests in eastern [[Libya]] on February 16, 2011. Ansar al-Shariah, an offshoot of Al-Qaida in the Maghreb (AQIM), vowed to overthrow [[secular]] strongman [[Muammar Gaddafi]]<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/24/al-qaeda-in-n-africa-backs-libya-uprising-site.html Al Qaeda in N. Africa backs Libya uprising: SITE]</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/07/libya-uprising-live-updates Libya uprising.]</ref> and establish [[Sharia]].  

Abdel-Hakim al-Hasidi of the U.S. organized [[Libyan Fighting Group]] said [[jihad]]ists who killed American troops in [[Iraq]] were now serving on the front lines in Libya.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8407047/Libyan-rebel-commander-admits-his-fighters-have-al-Qaeda-links.html Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links.]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/world/guantanamo-files-libyan-detainee-now-us-ally-of-sorts.html Libyan, Once a Detainee, Is Now a U.S. Ally of Sorts.]</ref> NATO's Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee days before President Obama publicly admitted he ordered intervention that U.S. intelligence knew al Qaeda and [[Hezbollah]] elements were among the Libyan insurgents.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8414583/Libya-al-Qaeda-among-Libya-rebels-Nato-chief-fears.html</ref>  

Abdel-Hakim al-Hasidi of the U.S. organized [[Libyan Fighting Group]] said [[jihad]]ists who killed American troops in [[Iraq]] were now serving on the front lines in Libya.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8407047/Libyan-rebel-commander-admits-his-fighters-have-al-Qaeda-links.html Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links.]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/world/guantanamo-files-libyan-detainee-now-us-ally-of-sorts.html Libyan, Once a Detainee, Is Now a U.S. Ally of Sorts.]</ref> NATO's Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee days before President Obama publicly admitted he ordered intervention that U.S. intelligence knew al Qaeda and [[Hezbollah]] elements were among the Libyan insurgents.<ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8414583/Libya-al-Qaeda-among-Libya-rebels-Nato-chief-fears.html</ref>  

On March 21, 2011, [[President Obama]] announced he ordered U.S. military force operations in Libya two days earlier over the objections of his most trusted and knowledgeable experts. Secretary of Defence [[Robert Gates]] opposed the action<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20038391-503544.html</ref> as did National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Adviser [[Denis McDonough]], and [[White House]] counterterrorism chief [[John O. Brennan]]. Libya was not vital to American national security interests and the rebels had ties to Al Qaeda.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/africa/19policy.html?_r=2&hp]</ref> However [[Secretary of State Hillary Clinton]] "won the bureaucratic battle to use [Department of Defence] resources to achieve what's essentially the State Department's objective... and Obama let it happen."<ref>[http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/18/how_obama_turned_on_a_dime_toward_war How Obama turned on a dime toward war.]</ref>  Secretary Clinton stated:

On March 21, 2011, [[President Obama]] announced he ordered U.S. military force operations in Libya two days earlier over the objections of his most trusted and knowledgeable experts. Secretary of Defence [[Robert Gates]] opposed the action<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20038391-503544.html</ref> as did National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Adviser [[Denis McDonough]], and [[White House]] counterterrorism chief [[John O. Brennan]]. Libya was not vital to American national security interests and the rebels had ties to Al Qaeda.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/africa/19policy.html?_r=2&hp]</ref> However [[Secretary of State Hillary Clinton]] "won the bureaucratic battle to use [Department of Defence] resources to achieve what's essentially the State Department's objective... and Obama let it happen."<ref>[http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/18/how_obama_turned_on_a_dime_toward_war How Obama turned on a dime toward war.]</ref>  Secretary Clinton stated:

===Ghaddafi's murder and Sharia law installed===

===Ghaddafi's murder and Sharia law installed===

By October 2011, Libyan rebel fighting groups with support from [[NATO]], overtook the capital of Tripoli and toppled the government. Ghaddafi was captured and brutally and sadistically murdered.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPzeLLL9V-c Leading from behind - a critique of Obama foreign policy]</ref> The jihadis were immediately recognized by the U.S. and the U.N. as the legitimate government. Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council, announced that [[Sharia]] will be the source for all legislation in Libya and that all laws conflicting with Sharia are null and void.<ref name="Sharia">[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8861608/Libya-Al-Qaeda-flag-flown-above-Benghazi-courthouse.html Libya: Al Qaeda flag flown above Benghazi courthouse - Daily Telegraph]</ref> Abdel Rahim al-Kib, the country's interim prime minister, echoed Jalil's words a couple of days later.<ref>[http://www.presstv.ir/detail/207953.html New Libyan PM backs Islamic sharia law]</ref> Around the same time these statements were made an Al Qaeda flag was flown above the Benghazi courthouse, and reports were surfacing that the Libyan jihadis imposed Sharia law in some parts of the country even earlier.<ref name="Sharia" />  

By October 2011, Libyan rebel fighting groups with support from [[NATO]], overtook the capital of Tripoli and toppled the government. Ghaddafi was captured and brutally and sadistically murdered.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPzeLLL9V-c Leading from behind - a critique of Obama foreign policy]</ref> The jihadis were immediately recognized by the U.S. and the U.N. as the legitimate government. Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council, announced that [[Sharia]] will be the source for all legislation in Libya and that all laws conflicting with Sharia are null and void.<ref name="Sharia">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8861608/Libya-Al-Qaeda-flag-flown-above-Benghazi-courthouse.html Libya: Al Qaeda flag flown above Benghazi courthouse - Daily Telegraph]</ref> Abdel Rahim al-Kib, the country's interim prime minister, echoed Jalil's words a couple of days later.<ref>[http://www.presstv.ir/detail/207953.html New Libyan PM backs Islamic sharia law]</ref> Around the same time these statements were made an Al Qaeda flag was flown above the Benghazi courthouse, and reports were surfacing that the Libyan jihadis imposed Sharia law in some parts of the country even earlier.<ref name="Sharia" />  

U.S. intelligence says as many as 20,000 advanced Russian surface-to-air missiles were missing.<ref>[http://weaselzippers.us/2011/09/27/u-s-intelligence-now-says-up-to-20000-advanced-surface-to-air-missiles-mussing-from-libya/ U.S. Intelligence Now Says Up To 20,000 Advanced Surface-To-Air Missiles Missing From Lib, Weasel Zippers, September 27, 2011]</ref> Some of those missiles reached the hands of [[Hamas]] in the Gaza Strip.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/hamas-boosting-anti-aircraft-arsenal-with-looted-libyan-missiles-1.392186 Hamas boosting anti-aircraft arsenal with looted Libyan missiles - Haaretz]</ref>

U.S. intelligence says as many as 20,000 advanced Russian surface-to-air missiles were missing.<ref>[http://weaselzippers.us/2011/09/27/u-s-intelligence-now-says-up-to-20000-advanced-surface-to-air-missiles-mussing-from-libya/ U.S. Intelligence Now Says Up To 20,000 Advanced Surface-To-Air Missiles Missing From Lib, Weasel Zippers, September 27, 2011]</ref> Some of those missiles reached the hands of [[Hamas]] in the Gaza Strip.<ref>[https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/hamas-boosting-anti-aircraft-arsenal-with-looted-libyan-missiles-1.392186 Hamas boosting anti-aircraft arsenal with looted Libyan missiles - Haaretz]</ref>

===Benghazi massacre===

===Benghazi massacre===