A statement circulated by LIFG leadership attributed the decision to ‘indiscriminate bombings’ and the ‘targeting of civilians,’ saying that violence did not achieve the aims of the group in removing oppression.
LIFG once sought to overthrow Col Muammar Gaddafi. Its ‘departure’ will be a big blow to ailing bin Laden, whose ranks are under pressure in Pak-Afghan border region. LIFG contributed major players for the al-Qaeda network Prominent amongst them is Abu Yahya al-Libi, who regularly appears on al-Qaeda propaganda videos.
Tentatively, the Libyan group’s decision can be attributed to a backlash against Osama bin Laden’s ideology in the Muslim world. Already, an Egyptian extremist leader, Sayyid Imam al-Sharif, better known as Dr Fadl has condemned al-Qaeda.
