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Extremist group vows to fight Libyan general

By WTOP Staff

ESAM MOHAMED
Associated Press

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — An Al-Qaida-inspired group on Tuesday vowed to fight a Libyan renegade general who is waging an offensive against Islamists, accusing him of being an “American agent” who wants to replicate last year’s military overthrow of an elected government in neighboring Egypt.

Mohammed al-Zahawi, the leader of Ansar al-Shariah, said in a televised press conference that his group would combat Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s so-called “Dignity Operation,” which began more than 10 days ago and is aimed at crushing Islamist militias and their political backers.

Hifter has won the support of politicians, diplomats, army units and tribes who want him to impose order and rein in the country’s unruly militias three years after the toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Al-Zahawi, speaking in front of the black flag of his group, warned Hifter against opening the “doors of hell” to a conflict similar to Syria’s civil war. He warned the United States against backing Hifter, saying it would face a “shameful defeat” and drawing comparisons with the U.S. interventions in Afghanistan and Somalia.

Ansar al-Shariah is believed to have played a role in the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012, which led to killing of the US ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

Al-Zahawi also accused Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt of supporting Hifter in a war against “Shariah,” or Islamic law. His remarks came as Egyptians voted in an election almost certain to vault former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to power less than a year after he overthrew that country’s first elected president, the Islamist Mohammed Morsi.

The leader of Ansar al-Shariah made no mention of the string of assassinations of journalists, judges and members of security forces in Benghazi, which have been blamed on Islamist militias. On Monday, the chief editor of a Libyan newspaper who had criticized Islamists was assassinated in Benghazi.

Earlier on Tuesday, the new Islamist-backed prime minister Ahmed Maiteg was unharmed in an attack on his home that set off a gunbattle with guards, a government official said.

The official said four attackers fired rocket-propelled grenades at the house of Maiteg, sparking clashes with security guards. One of the assailants was killed and another was arrested while the rest fled, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press.

Maiteg was named premier in a vote deemed illegitimate by non-Islamist lawmakers.

Thousands of Libyans have held demonstrations in recent days demanding the elected assembly halt sessions and accusing it of financing Islamist militias and acting as their political wing.

Islamists have condemned the offensive launched earlier this month as a “coup.”

Many of the heavily armed rebel brigades that defeated Gadhafi’s forces three years ago have since been transformed into militias that refuse to disarm or join the national security forces. They have been blamed for a string of kidnappings and assassinations.

Last year Islamist militiamen abducted then prime minister Ali Zidan in a dramatic illustration of the challenges faced by the weak central government. He was released unharmed several hours later when other militias intervened.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department recommended Tuesday that Americans leave Libya immediately and warned U.S. citizens against any travel to the North African country.

The department also said that due to security concerns and limited staffing it was only able to offer limited emergency services to U.S. citizens there. There was no move yet to evacuate diplomats from the embassy.

The department said the security situation in Libya “remains unpredictable and unstable,” with crime levels high in many parts the country. It added that various groups also have called for attacks against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests in Libya.

Also Tuesday, U.S. defense officials said the Navy warship USS Bataan had moved into the Mediterranean Sea and could be used, if needed, for any possible evacuation of American personnel from Libya.

The officials said the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship, was not near Libya and wasn’t expected to be positioned off its coast. It more likely would remain in the region, and could move or respond quickly if called.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter by name.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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