Received by Registration Unit 02/03/2018 3:56:58 PM Grassroots P'ol i't?i?a'a'l (.0115 Icing, - Grassroots Politlcal Consulting LLC 9. 0. Box 65459 Washington, D. C. 20035 Office: I202) 542-3977 Email: Website: waning Introduction General Hifter, leader of the Libyan National Army, is a visionaryand man who has sacrificed his personal safety, security and comfort, in order to lead a sustainable future for Libya. Hehas been embraced by many in the European Union, United Kingdom, Russia, African Union, United Arab Emirates and other In the international community as one who could truly lead Libya' In counterterroriSm efforts, military stability and govern mentalstability. In addition, the General Is receiving support from many tribal, ideological and religious leaders, as his desire to restore a representative government, stabile military, trade and economic deVelo?p?ment, infrastructure development and ed UCation for all Libyans. Long-term goals The Libyan National Army is working to eradicate the threat of Jihadism, lSlL, AI-Qaida and various other groups-who are attempting to move weapOns, human trafficking through Libya?s ungoverned areas. Under General HifteI/s leadership, cities like Benghazi have come to normalization, and the LNA is spreading its influence into stabilizing the majority of'territory in the country (with the support of local government leaders, tribes, etc). Once the LNA is able to secure all areas of Libya, General Hifter has agreed to terms to provide security and stability for national elections in a summit hosted by President Macron In France In Juiy, 2017. This has also been agreed upon by many others In the international community. Truly, General Hitter has a vision to create a sustainable economic and trade environment for energy development, arg?ricu?lture, technology and various other sectors of the ecbnomy. Rebuilding infrastructure across the country, job creation and educational stability are amongst other strong priorities for Libya. In addition to this, reinforcing regional and international community ties for creating a long- -term stabile future far the country. Support desired by Congress Congress plays a pivotal role in understanding the goals of the international community in building stability and long-term governance in Libya. In addition, comprehending the outside. influences of'Qatar and Iran in destabilizing the country, spreading extremism and opposing General Hifter?s goals of securing a str'o ng LNA to eradicate terrorist groups, training camps, slave trading and instability in the . country. General Hifter desires support from Congress (diplomatic, defense) in considering him as a leader for the future of long-term stability in Libya. .In addition, support the intern ational community efforts for a political solution, enabling consideration of General Hifter as a national candidate for Libya. Received by Registration Unit 02/03/2018 31:56:58 PM Received by Registration Unit 02/03/2018 3:56:58 PM Questions and Answers: slope-trade, and. 'where' in Libya is it takina place? The slave trade started in Libya long time ago in much smaller numbers. However, just after 2011 it became obvious and attr'eiCted'smuggl?rs and drug dealers, which resulted in criminal gangs and transnational crime. The process starts by local gangs 'collEcting immigrants from saurce countries and sendingthem to Libya (mostly from other African nations), and at the Libyan border they are handed over to a local Libyan gang. These gangs transport the immigrants until the end of their local zone bo rde?r-s to later sell them to another? lacal gang until the immigrants reach the Libyan coast (much like the process Coyotesuse to bring illegal migrants to the US. from South America). The gangs have their counterparts who operate in the Mediterranean Sea, and from EU coastal cities, which deal directly with the gangs in Libya. This is taking place across the country, and the Liibyian National Army (LNA) is focused on eradicating this slave trade. Areas in the West, not under control of the GNA are promulgating and not assisting in eradicating-the slavetrade, which makes containing'the situation quite problematic. Should the GNA and UN-attache?. be_ supported b_y.the U.._Saoyernrnent to lead why not? The United Nations deals with the Libyan FM situation via-the UN support mission in Libya (UNSMIL). U'NS'MliLfaces tremendous d'iffiCulties in reaching 'a solution that is excepted by the Libyan people under one agreement. Due too key mistakes by the special representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) in early stages, his position was made 'too weak and easily: negatively affected by hardliners, who were then able to force themselves on the Libyan political scene. Elsa raj And his presidential counsel PC) failed in performing the simplest outcomes of the Els keirat agreement, whichis an accord in his own Presidential counsel. This accord, which some of his own members are boycotting, Compelling him to takesingle control over GNA PG. What. is the source of outside in?uence in Libya thatshould concern the U.S. the mastiwhich countries, terror groug? 5, etc}? Whomever desires to su'pporta peaceful solution in Libya, and put'a'n end to the political mess and' security chaos should take into consideration the huge sacrifice by the Libyan people in order to get rid" of terrorists and their supporters. Terrorist groups in Libya are split into three major categories: . 1- Muslim brotherhood, which made early alliances with Al Qaeda in Libya and formed a special armed force call Libya shields. Muslim brotherhood in other countries, such as in Turkey, for example, supports them intensively and is one of their main supporters. 2- Al Qaeda, which is supported by Qatar, and is considered-the firSt and main Support base. 3- ISIS, which surfaced-in late 2013, and Libyan FM national army fought against it in Benghaz-i, mama and southwestn Libya. Still some of the members are in the'desert south of Sirte, and near the oil Crescent, There is also a pos'sibilityt?hat single members-or small groups are operating as sleeper cells in various parts of the country as well. Received by Registration Unit. 02/03/2018 3:56:58 PM