Libyan Islamic Fighting Group

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The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) also known as Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya is the most powerful radical faction waging what they consider to be a holy war (jihad) against Colonel Moammar al-Qadhafi. The group, designated by the U.S. Department of State as a terrorist organization, emerged in 1995 among Libyans who had fought against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. It aims to establish an Islamic state in Libya and views the current regime as oppressive, corrupt and anti-Muslim, according to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. LIFG claimed responsibility for a failed assassination attempt against Qadhafi in February 1996, which was in part funded by MI6 according to David Shayler, and engaged Libyan security forces in armed clashes during the mid-to-late 1990s.[1]

They continue to target Libyan interests and may engage in sporadic clashes with Libyan security forces.[2] The LIFG is one of the groups believed to have planned the Casablanca suicide bombings in May 2003.[3]

The United Kingdom has provided a safe haven for the group, and several prominent members live in London and Manchester, although they strongly deny any links with al-Qaeda and are keen to emphasize that LIFG has never carried out an attack outside Libya or against civilians.

On October 10, 2005, the United Kingdom's Home Office banned LIFG and fourteen other militant groups from operating in the UK. Under the United Kingdom's Terrorism Act 2000, being a member of a LIFG is punished by a 10-year prison term.

On 7 February, 2006, the U.S. Treasury Department announced designated five individuals and four organizations via the UN Security Council Committee Concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban Associated Individuals and Entities[4] for being leaders and providing funds to the LIFG.[5]

The Financial Sanctions Unit of the Bank of England acting on behalf of HM Treasury issued the orders to freeze all their assets.[6]

One of the men, Mohammed Benhammedi, lived and worked in Liverpool at the time. Sergey Zakurko, the father to his Lithuanian mistress was suspended from his job at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) for fear that the link could pose a security threat.[7]

The fourteen banned groups were:

The "Summary of Evidence" from Mohammed Fenaitel Mohamed Al Daihani's Combatant Status Review Tribunal. states: "The Sanabal Charitable Committee is considered a fund raising front for the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group."[8]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Gary Gambill. "The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)", The Jamestown Foundation, Monday March 24, 2005. Retrieved on 2006-08-14.
  2. ^ US Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism 2002
  3. ^ US Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism, 2004
  4. ^ http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1267Template.htm
  5. ^ http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/js4016.htm
  6. ^ http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/news/2006/013.htm
  7. ^ "Al-Qaida accused 'linked to N-plant terror threat'", Liverpool Daily Post, 22 February 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-14. (in English)
  8. ^ Summary of Evidence (.pdf) from pages 25-26 of Mohammed Fenaitel Mohamed Al Daihani's Combatant Status Review Tribunal
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