New Russian role in Libyan crisis

25.01.2017
Libya

Arms through Algeria

New pool of security in MENA

According to a source within the Algerian military, Russia has agreed to arm General Khalifa Haftar, one of the key players in the Libyan civil war. Algeria, a key mediator in the region, has also provided assistance to Haftar.

 

Who is Khalifa Haftar

A former Gaddafi loyalist, Haftar became a leading figure in the civil war against the former leader and today is estimated to control 60,000 fighters.

Haftar leads the Libyan National Army (LNA) in the east of the country, and is a close ally of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives parliament, a rival to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) which has all but lost control of the Libyan capital despite international support.

Russian media have reported that Khalifa Haftar was given a tour of a Russian aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean on January 11th. In November 2016, Haftar visited Moscow to meet with key political figures.

Related links
2017 Forecast: Africa
Libya
Russia
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Africa
Khalifa Haftar