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Libyan strongman Haftar to leave Paris hospital 'within a few days'

A spokesman, for Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army controls much of eastern Libya and who press reports last week said was in a coma after suffering a stroke, claimed on Twitter on Friday that he had visited a Paris hospital 'for normal checkups' and would 'be back in Libya within few days'.

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Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar is receiving treatment at a Paris hospital, his spokesman confirmed late Friday, reports Expatica.

"During a scheduled visit program to a number of countries, Marshal Haftar felt ill and visited a hospital in Paris for normal checkups," Ahmed al-Mesmari wrote on Twitter.

The 75-year-old Haftar "will be back in Libya within few days," he added.

Contradictory information about the strongman's health and possible demise had been circulating in Libyan press and on social media this week.

Haftar had not made any public appearances recently, fueling the rumours.

Some local media even announced his death Friday, despite repeated denials from his spokesman and relatives.

The UN said that their envoy, Ghassan Salame, had spoken to Haftar Friday "and discussed the general situation in Libya and the latest political developments in the country," UNSMIL tweeted.

Khalifa Haftar "is very well. He will return to Libya this weekend," a relative of the strongman told AFP speaking on condition of anonymity.

Read more of this AFP report published by Expatica.