Fighting Islamic Group, Libyan Fighting Group, Libyan Islamic Group

Suspected to receive funding from private donations, various Islamic nongovernmental organizations, and criminal acts

Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) is dedicated to two principle objectives.  The founding goal of the terrorist group is to overthrow the current Libyan government led by Muammar Qadhafi.  LIFG was founded on the belief that Qadhafi and his government are un-Islamic and should be overthrown.  LIFG members have attempted, but failed, to assassinate Qadhafi.  From the time it was founded until the late '90s, LIFG attacked Libyan security forces in armed altercations.  Today, LIFG continues to target interest of the Libyan government.  Some allege that LIFG still attacks Libyan security forces, although the frequency and intensity has decreased since the late 1990s. LIFG is suspected as one of the terrorist entities to provide materials for the May 2003 suicide bombings in Casablanca.<P> The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group also maintains a second objective beyond Libya's border, to contribute to the international jihadist campaign.  This objective has become increasingly central to LIFG's activities and overall goals. In November 2007, al-Qaeda leaders released an audio recording officially declaring LIFG had been joined with the al-Qaeda organization. It is believed that certain LIFG senior leaders maintain positions in al-Qaeda's senior command structure.<p> <br />

While LIFG is essentially an indigenous Libyan Islamist terrorist group, the group is now demonstrating a proclivity for more global terrorist operations.  LIFG is principally compromised of Libyans who fought in the Soviet-Afghan war.  The Libyan veterans returned to their country with the aim of creating an Islamic state in Libya.  In time, LIFG pledged its support to jihadist groups throughout the world.  In addition to its affiliation with al-Qaeda, the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group has ties to extremist groups in Egypt and Algeria.