REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TRIPOLI -- Thousands of protesters rallied in Libyan cities on Friday to back "coup" general Khalifa Haftar, calling for restoring security in Libya.

Protesters waved national flags and chanted slogans at Tripoli' s Martyr's Square calling for a strong army and police to restore security and safety as well as to put down extremists.

The demonstration was the second of its kind in two weeks, showing support for Haftar's campaign, code named "Operation Dignity," to "purge terrorists."

Haftar, who played a major role in toppling Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has led a series of military actions against the country's interim parliament in the name of "purging terrorists" and tried to force the parliament to abandon power.

He claimed that the General National Congress is the backer of extremists and should be held responsible for prevailing terrorist attacks, kidnappings and assassinations in cities.

Haftar's maneuvers have been condemned by the parliament as a " coup," but he has gained more allies recently as some political parties, army officials and armed groups showed their support for him.

After a similar demonstration last week, Haftar said at a press conference that the Libyans had given him the mandate to fight.

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