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Libya: Information on the National Army for the Salvation of Libya, whether it split from the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (NFSL) in 1988, whether it is based in Cairo, whether it still exists, the roles played in the NASL by Jaballah Matar and Kahlil al-Zwai, whether Jaballah Matar was kidnapped in 1990 or 1996, and the current situation of Kahlil al-Zwai

According to the Political Handbook of the World 1992, available in Regional Documentation Centres, the Libyan National Liberation Army (LNLA), also known as the "Army of Salvation" (jaysh al-inqadh) was founded in 1988 in Chad, and the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (NFSL) is believed to have been involved in its founding (1992, 454).

According to Political Handbook of the World 1997, available in Regional Documentation Centres, "Jabal MATAR, described as leader of the NFSL's 'military wing,' has been missing since 1990" (1997, 498). The same source states that in 1994 the LNLA disassociated itself from the NFSL (ibid.).

According to an article in the October 1995 issue of Arabies, the Libyan Salvation Army ("L'Armée libyenne du salut"), led by Jaballah Matar, was among the four Libyan opposition organizations that comprised the Libyan National Alliance ("L'Alliance nationale libyenne"), which was established in 1983 on the initiative of Mansour al-Kikhia (27). The article states that Jaballah Matar disappeared in Cairo in 1990. According to an interview with Mohamed al-Megariaf, secretary-general of the NFSL ("Front national pour le salut de la Libye"), "Jaballah Hamed Matar," whom al-Megariaf describes as an NFSL member, disappeared in Egypt in mid-March 1990 along with another NFSL member, Izzet Youssef al-Megariaf (ibid., 29). The same source states, without elaboration, that Jaballah Matar was detained in Libya (ibid., 31). According to Arabies, the Libyan Salvation Army was led, at the time of publication, by Saber al-Majid (ibid., 27). For more details please see the text of the article, which is included in Response to Information Request LBY23225.E of 7 March 1996 as an attachment.

Information on the location of the headquarters of the National Army for the Salvation of Libya and on Kahlil al-Zwai could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Arabies [Paris]. October 1995. No. 106. Ali El-Roz and Antoine Jalhk. "Libye : Les Anti-Kadhafi de A à Z."

Political Handbook of the World 1997. 1997. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Political Handbook of the World 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Additional Sources Consulted

Extremist Groups: An International Compilation of Terrorist Organizations, Violent Political Groups and Issue-Oriented Militant Movements.

Islam and Islamic Groups: A Worldwide Reference Guide.

     Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. March 1990.

Political Parties of Africa and the Middle East.

Political Parties of the World.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, FBIS, Global News Bank, NEXIS/LEXIS,

REFWORLD (UNHCR database), World News Connection (WNC)