LibyaPolitics

No known Russian military activities in east Libya: German FM

Germany’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it has no information about any Russian military activities or joint drills conducted recently in coordination with Libyan forces in eastern Libya.

British media reports had claimed that Russia provides military support to General Commander Khalifa Haftar, who heads the Libyan National Army (LNA) in the east.

The German ministry added that its vision to achieve stability in Libya depends on supporting the UN special envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame, with the aim to push the political process forward.

Germany also underlined that it is working with all international parties, including Russia, to provide support for the UN envoy.

Moscow’s role has extended its reach across the Middle East and North Africa, becoming a central player in the resource-rich country.

Leaders of Libya’s warring political factions, including Haftar and Prime Minister of the GNA Faiez Sarraj, set a path to elections earlier this year at a meeting in Paris May 29.

For its part, Moscow said it supports international mediation efforts.

The Soviet Union had close ties to Gaddafi’s Libya, which Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to rekindle in a 2008 visit that brought Moscow billions of dollars in arms, oil and rail contracts.

Haftar, 75, is one of the powerful players in Libya, and his forces receive explicit support from several regional powers, such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

After tightening his grip on eastern Libya, Haftar now wants to extend his influence across the west where the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) is based. In the east, the government of the House of Representatives is the authority in power, and it supports the veteran Field Marshal.

Haftar’s position has been bolstered by a string of military victories in eastern part of the country, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that killed long-time President Muammar Gaddafi.

On top of its rich resources that can bring about major contracts with its neighbors and beyond, Libya remains the main route for waves of undocumented migrants bound for Europe via the Mediterranean.

The Islamic State and other extremist groups that target Europe ensconce themselves in lawless areas throughout Libya, making the vast, desert country of paramount importance to many countries.

 

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