Libyan eastern-based army chief returns to Benghazi after medical treatment in France

TRIPOLI, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based army commander Khalifa Haftar on Thursday returned to the city of Benghazi after receiving medical treatment in France.

Haftar arrived at Benghazi's Benina International Airport Thursday evening, where he was greeted with a large ceremony attended by Chief of Staff Abdarrazzag al-Nathuri and a number of senior army officials and tribal elders, an army official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"General Haftar concluded a successful two-week medical treatment trip to France," the official said, adding that Haftar made a short visit to Egypt's Cairo on Wednesday and returned along with a number of senior army officials.

On April 11, local and international media said Haftar was sent to France's Paris for treatment after a sudden stroke.

"In such circumstances it is not possible to disclose any information related to the health of the commander," the official said, when asked about the reasons for declining to announce the trip.

He added that the commander now is "in good health and will soon address the Libyan people." Enditem