He has resisted entreaties to join the United Nations-backed unity government in western Libya, and he has positioned himself as the only leader with the strength to rule Libya, which plunged into chaos after Colonel Qaddafi was ousted in 2011. To achieve that goal, General Hifter has wavered between agreeing to elections and threatening to march on Tripoli, the seat of the unity government.

His mysterious absence in recent weeks, which started when he flew from Jordan to France to treat an undisclosed medical condition, was seized upon by critics who speculated on his possible replacement. He has no obvious successor, and there has been speculation about a possible power struggle whenever he gives up power.

Instead, his return seems to have left him still firmly in control. Waiting for him on the tarmac in Benghazi were senior commanders, lined up in a show of unity intended to scotch rumors of division within his top ranks.

In a television speech after he was seen in video footage walking from his plane, General Hifter dismissed talk of his ill health as “nonsense.” He joked about whether he should stand in order to prove that he did not need a wheelchair.