Benghazi's newest danger: A coup

In recent days, General Hifter has gained backing from key Libyan army and air force units, important militias and senior members of the regional security forces, as well as oblique endorsements from some leaders of the 2011 revolution.

But the United States government has not expressed a judgment. It seems to be avoiding endorsement or rejection of General Hifter, limiting itself to expressions of concern about a situation it calls “extremely fluid” and joining an international call for all parties to refrain from violent acts. Secretary of State John Kerry has asked a senior diplomat, David Satterfield, to go to Libya as an envoy, but has not indicated a direct connection with General Hifter’s action…

General Hifter’s resurrection has acquired a redemptive quality. In Washington, some policy experts and State Department officials quietly express satisfaction that someone is going after Ansar al-Sharia, the militia blamed for the attack on the United States compound. And a sizable number of Libyans hope General Hifter can reverse the Muslim Brotherhood’s hold on Parliament, which they consider a hijacking of democracy.

But redemption is a less worthy goal than protecting Libya’s experiment with democracy. That means the United States must make clear the nature of its relationship with General Hifter.