US general claims that Russia is forming bond with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar

Marine General Thomas Waldhauser, the head of US forces in Africa claimed that there was an undeniable link between Russia and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army associated with the House of Representatives government.

Waldauser said this underscored US concerns about the increased Russian role in Libya. In earlier testimony to the Senate foreign relations committee Waldhauser maintained : “Russia is trying to exert influence on the ultimate decision of who and what entity becomes in charge of the government inside Libya.”

Earlier in March, Reuters reported that Russia has deployed special forces to Sidi Barrani an air base in western Egypt about 60 miles or 100 kilometers from the Libyan border. Russia denied that report. However, when Waldhauser was asked about Russian troops in the area he claimed that there were Russians on the ground in the area and complained that Russia's attempts to influence Libya were concerning. Apparently the US is not concerned about its own presence in Libya which it is set to continue indefinitely as noted in a recent Digital Journal article. Several other countries such as France and the UK have or had special operations forces in Libya and Haftar has been aided by Egypt and the UAE in his campaign against Islamists in Libya, Operation Dignity.

Waldhauser said of the Russians: "They are on the ground, they are trying to influence the action, we watch what they do with great concern and you know in addition to the military side of this, we've seen some recent activity in business ventures...I think it is common knowledge, certainly in the open press, the Russians and their desire to influence the activities inside in Libya... the Russian and Haftar, I think that linkage is undeniable at this point in time."

The Libya Observer also reported that Waldhauser claimed there was an undeniable link between Russia and Field Marshal Haftar and also that there were Russians on the ground in the area, a devlopment that was of concern to the US. A tweet suggests that in response, the US was sending more troops to the city of Misrata: "#US to deploy more troops in #Misrata Air Force base after indications of #Russian presence in Eastern #Libya #Benghazi #Hafter". Russia has, without doubt, supported Haftar. Haftar has been to Moscow several times and met officials on a Russian aircraft carrier off Libya. However, Russia has also kept lines of communication open with the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli. The EU has expressed a desire for Russia to broker a deal between the GNA and Haftar to form a unity government. The US attitude to Russia, as expressed at least by the military, is at odds with the common view that Trump and the new US administration are favorable towards Putin and Russia. Given that Haftar boasts himself as a staunch opponent of Islamic terrorism, one might think that Trump might actually swing US policy towards the support of Haftar. Some in the UK urge UK support for Haftar. So far, the US position on Libya appears to be continued support for the UN-brokered Government of National Accord and concern about increasing Russian involvement in Libya. The US has said little of the long-standing and continuing evident support of Haftar by Egypt and the UAE among others.

Libyan National Oil Co. reaches oil deal with Russia's Rosneft

The Libyan National Oil Corp. (NOC) has signed a deal for cooperation on oil with the Russian oil giant Rosneft. The deal was made on the sidelines of International Petroleum Week held in London UK.

	1 of 2
The gathering included most larger oil firms in Europe and the Middle East. Mustafa Sanallah, chair of the NOC, signed together with his counterpart in Rosneft Ivanovich Sechin. Sanallah said: “We need assistance and the investment of world giant oil companies to achieve the target of Libya’s oil production and stabilize our economy." He said the deal paves the way for the two corporations to further specify their strategies for cooperation.

The NOC websitej said that the agreement will see the formation of a joint committee from the two companies that will explore opportunities available in different sectors including production and exploration. Another deal allows Rosneft to purchase crude oil from the NOC. The NOC said:“The deals with Rosneft are part of the plans of the NOC to encourage investment by the foreign companies so that Libya’s oil production can hit 2.1 million barrels per day by 2022.”

Declining oil prices along with low production has meant that Libya's revenue from oil had been greatly reduced. More ports are now open and production has increased of late but it still is not back to the level it was before Gadaffi was overthrown. Libya depends upon imports for 85 percent of its needs. The Libyan dinar has fallen quite low in terms of the US dollar making imports ever more expensive. In the last two years imports into Libya have declined 45 percent. Last year grain imports were just 2.6 million tons compared with 3 million tons in 2013.

Russia is increasing involvement in Libya. Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the House of Representatives (HoR) government in Tobruk has been to Moscow several times. Recently he met with Russian officials on the Russian aircraft carrier Kuznetsov off the coast of eastern Libya. Subsequent to a failed attempt by Faiez Serraj to meet with Haftar in Cairo, Serraj is now hoping that Russia can arrange a meeting between the two. Serraj sees Russia as possibly enabling an agreement between the GNA and Haftar.

Eastern commander Haftar welcomed aboard Russian aircraft carrier

(January 12) As pro-Putin President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take over as president of the United States, Russia has shown clear signs of support for Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya.

Haftar is commander of the Libyan National Army, the armed forces of the House of Representatives (HoR), a rival to the UN-back Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). Neither Haftar nor the HoR recognize the GNA although the GNA is backed and recognized by the U.S. and many European countries as the sole legitimate government. Supporters of the HoR and Haftar such as Russia, UAE, Egypt and Jordan also give lip service to supporting the GNA. The HoR has yet to vote confidence in the GNA and critics argue that the GNA is illegal until supported by the HoR and the constitutional declaration amended. On August 22 last year, the HoR voted against approving the GNA.

The Russians flew Haftar by helicopter to Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Kuznetzov, for a meeting. There was considerable ritual as shown in photos with Russian sailors in white dress uniforms being inspected on the flight deck. Both Libyan and Russian national anthems were played. The whole episode is in conflict with a UN resolution that stresses countries should not deal with parallel institutions. Haftar's LNA is a parallel institution not part of the GNA forces such as they are. The GNA depends mostly on different militia groups to provide security. The Russians brought a consignment of medical supplies.

Haftar had a video conference with the Russian defence minister Sergey Shoygu. Although full details of the conference were not made public, one topic was cooperation on fighting terrorism. Haftar's Operation Dignity has been fighting terrorism since May of 2014. However, Haftar considers terrorists any Islamist group that opposes him, many of them militia loyal to the GNA. including many brigades that drove the Islamic State out of Sirte. He also is besieging Islamists of the Derna Shura Council who were instrumental in driving the Islamic State out of Derna. There was no invitation for anyone to attend from the rival UN-recognized GNA or its armed forces.

Italy, on the other hand, has just recently shown its support for the GNA by opening its Tripoli embassy, Italy also has troops guarding a field hospital at Misrata. Atlantic Council analyst Mohamed Eljarh tweeted: “Italy (to an extent EU) support one side of the war in Libya and Russia jumps in to support the other side."

Haftar travelled to Moscow as recently as last December. Russia has already called earlier this month for the UN arms embargo to be lifted. The GNA wants the embargo lifted only for groups it approves and this would not include Haftar's forces. The HoR refuses to agree to the LPA and GNA until Haftar is assured of remaining head of the LNA a position that many in the GNA will never accept. As it is now, the Presidency Council of the GNA serves as head of the armed forces. There did not appear to be any civilians in Haftar's party but the military included Major-Geneeral Abdull Al-Nazurhi of the army and air force head Major-General Saqr Geroushi. Both Geroushi and Haftar were at one time being considered for sanctions by the EU back in March 2016. The Information and Communication Administration of the Russian Defense Ministry referred to Haftar as "commander of the Libyan national army" when announcing the visit. Haftar forces are not recognized by the GNA as the Libyan national army.

Some media outlets had reported that the Kuznetsov had entered Libyan territorial waters as Haftar arrived in Tobruk. If the Kuznetzov had entered Libyan territorial waters, I wonder if it bothered to obtain permission to do so from the internationally-recognized GNA government or from the HoR government. The speaker of the HoR, Ageelah Saleh and a special envoy also visited Moscow earlier as well as Haftar. All three asked Russia to help out with airstrikes on Benghazi against their jihadist opponents. The Russians did not do so.

One photo shows Haftar signing an agreement with the Russians. A tweet suggests this was for more medical supplies:"‏@Eljarh @MaryFitzger they received a shipment of medical supplies and signing likely to do with further assistance (most likely medical) #Libya " Another tweet suggests that Kuznetzov is still in Libya: "Aircraft carrier 'Kuznetsov' (hosted LNA's Hafter for meetings Wednesday) is still in #Libya. Press conf. Friday by #Russia's FM in Moscow."

The conflict in Libya could be shaping up as between supporters of the GNA and supporters of the HoR government and Khalifa Haftar. Haftar can stress that he is fighting terrorism. He may gain the support of the United States with Trump as president and strengthen his position.

Russia expresses support for eastern Libyan field marshall Khalifa Haftar

In spite of pledging support to the UN-brokered Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Russia and other countries such as Egypt and the UAE are supporting the rival House of Representatives (HOR) and Khalifa Haftar commander of its armed forces.

Haftar has been to Russia as recently as the end of November and he has had good coverage in the Russian press. There was even a fake news item in Sputnik in which a suggestion by Ali Gotrani a member of the Presidential Council (PC) of the GNA of making Haftar the temporary ruler of Libya was presented as if it were an actuality. Most members of the PC and of the GNA would reject Haftar having such a role. Many want him to have no role at all in a unified government.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov was critical of UN envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler whom he accused of favoring other political forces rather than Haftar and the HoR. Gatilov said that Libyans had to find a compromise on Haftar's participation in a new leadership. What Gatilov is doing is going against the UN resolution that recognizes the GNA as the sole legitimate Libyan government and also warns about having dealings with "parallel institutions" such as the government of the HoR. At the same time the sanctioned head of the HoR, Ageela Saleh, talks with a number of foreign officials in an attempt to solve the political crises and find a role for Haftar.

For some time now, Martin Kobler, has also insisted that Haftar have a significant role in any unified government and according to the Libyan Express even in the armed forces:The Head of the UNSMIL, Martin Kobler, said Friday that the most important issue in Libya now is to solve the current crisis by forming a unity strong army with Khalifa Haftar having a very essential role in it.Russia appears to be aligning itself more closely with the Egyptian president el-Sisi and Haftar in Libya. Given that the Trump administration appears to want a more positive relationship with Russia, the U.S. may come to also throw more support behind Haftar and the HoR strengthening Haftar even more.

Although Haftar probably worked for the CIA for some time and lived for a decade near their headquarters in the U.S., he also had military training in the USSR in the seventies. Gatilov praised Haftar for his role in fighting terrorists including the Islamic State (IS) even though he did nothing to help drive the IS from Sirte and regards many of the militia who carried out the offensive as his enemies. He is also besieging Derna, which is run by an Islamist group who were instrumental in ousting the IS from the city. Gatilov also praised Haftar for helping increase oil production. Of course he did so by wresting the eastern oil ports away from Ibrahim Jadhran, who had supported the GNA and struck a deal with them. So far, Russia appears to have kept to the UN embargo on shipping arms to Libya. It has also retained contacts with members of the GNA government. Kobler has called on Russia to help the GNA by using its influence on eastern forces.

There is no sign that Haftar is really that interested in all the frantic attempts to find some strategy by which he can be enticed to join the GNA. Western support for the GNA continues but appears hollow as on the ground Haftar continues to strengthen his position, attacking his opponents and threatening to move on Tripoli. So far there is no sign of any viable plan that would see Haftar join the GNA.

Russian envoy arrives in Tripoli with a new plan to resolve political deadlock

An envoy from the Russian foreign ministry arrived in Tripoli bringing a new plan to solve the country's political deadock, local media report.

	1 of 2
A release from the media office of the High Council of State announced that the Russian envoy had informed the President of the Council, Abdul-Rahman Swehli. that Russian authorities intended to host a meeting to solve the Libyan political crisis. The meeting would be supervised by Vladimir Putin and the Russian ministries of defense and foreign affairs. The release said that the proposed meeting would aim to enlarge the circle of those who are part of the Libyan political dialogue and end the political deadlock.

Russia has been in the news of late as a possible source of weapons for Haftar. Haftar was said to have asked Russia for weapons. However, this has been denied by other sources. The media office also quotes the Russian envoy as denying the reports: "The envoy confirmed that his country will not provide weapons to any Libyan party in implementation to the UNSC resolutions." The envoy also said the same thing to Musa Al-Koni of the Presidency Council (PC) of the Government of National Accord (GNA). There is a UN ban on weapons exports to Libya.

The Libya Oberserver said that no details of the initiative have yet been provided but said that there was speculation that Russia wanted Haftar to remain in his post as commander of the armed forces in any GNA that he would join. The present Libyan political agreemet (LPA) has the PC itself serve the role of commander in chief. Many members of the PC and even more in the State Council would be vehemently opposed to Haftar having the role of commander in chief or any significant role in the GNA armed forces. It will be interesting to see more details about the plan of the meeting and who will be invited.

The UN special envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, has tried his best to work out some role for Haftar to play without success. Haftar criticized his attempts as meddling in Libyan affiars. The head of the PC, PM Faiez Serraj also has tried in vain to work out a deal. Just yesterday, a high level meeting of representatives from many countries in Paris was not able to reach any solutions. Russia had not been invited to the meeting. It is unclear why Russia thinks it can be successful when so many other attempts have turned out to be abject failures. Trying to keep Haftar on as commander in chief would probably result in internal strife that would destroy the GNA. Perhaps that is the idea!

Haftar has shown little interest so far in plans to accommodate him and have him join the GNA. He has been active extending his power in the east by seizing four ports in the Oil Crescent and replacing local civilian authorities by military officials. He considers most militias associated with the GNA to be his enemies and to be defeated by his Operation Dignity eventually.

A tweet perhaps related to the upcoming meeting says:" #Egypt & #Russia trying to reach out to influential leaders within #Misrata. Efforts to bring Misrata & East together. No easy task #Libya "

Apparently Libyan Marshal Haftar did not ask Russia for arms

Near the end of September there were reports that Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar had requested Russia to provide direct military support for his operations against terrorists. However, the reports were later denied by Haftar sources.

	1 of 3
Haftar is commander of the Libyan National Army(LNA) the armed forces associated with the Al-Thinni government of the House of Representatives based in Tobruk. Haftar had visited Russia in late June A report claimed that a Haftar representative, Abdel Badri, met recently with Russian officials according to a diplomatic source close to the situation: "The meeting really did take place. Badri came to Moscow for one day. During talks with Bogdanov, they discussed the issue of lifting the embargo on arms supplies. Libyans are asking us to send them small arms, but also equipment, including planes. Also, they asked Moscow to start an anti-Islamist military operation in Libya that is similar to the one in Syria."

However, a source , said to be close to Haftar, said that the envoy's mission had "nothing to do with arms deliveries" and had no special message. This would not have been the first time that the eastern-based HoR had asked for Russian help. Last year PM Abdullah al-Thinni had said that he would welcome Russian aid in operations against the Islamic State. Russian columnist Sergei Ishchenko said that some Libyans were trying to draw Russia into a senseless war. He describes the war in 2011 with the NATO attacks and support of anti-Gadaffi rebels as senseless. Russia actually supported the UN resolution for a No-Fly zone allegedly to protect civilians but the actions of NATO went far beyond what Russia had envisioned.

Ischenko said the present Libyan situation was a mess "where tribes whose loyalties are unclear slaughter one another, storming government buildings and burning international airports. Daesh militants hang out out in the open in government dachas of the Gaddafi government and prepare for new battles in Syria. A countless stream of refugees from all across Africa race endlessly to Europe, while Europeans argue in confusion about who is to blame for the crisis." "And it's definitely not Russia," Ishchenko stressed. "But we are the ones being called to clean someone else's dirty military and political laundry…"

Ischenko sees no good reason for Russia to be involved with Syria. Russia alreads has more than enough on its plate trying to sort out the situation in Syria. Ischenko suggests that those who are responsible for the present situation such as the US and France should help sort out Libya's problems not Russia. While Ischenko said Russia should support the efforts of other countres to stablize the country, it should not get involved itself. He praised the US bombing of Sirte to help Libyan forces defeat the Islamic State. Ischenko said that Russia was not anxious to be involved in any further anti-terrorist operations especially with someone such as Haftar who he points out is widely believed to be a CIA agent.

Perhaps, Ischenko is correct that Russia does not want to get directly or deeply involved in Libya, certainly not with troops on the ground. Nevertheless, it is clear that Russia is trying to develop relations with the HoR and Haftar as a means of increasing its power in Africa and no doubt creating good relations with Egypt, the UAE and other supporters of Haftar. Since Russia also gives lip service to supporting the Government of National Accord GNA as the sole Libyan government it is not likely to provide arms in any open manner but will continue to claim support for the arms embargo that would not allow Russia to legally provide arms to Haftar.

General Khalifa Haftar visits both Cairo and Moscow seeking support

Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) General Khalifa Haftar, is in Moscow on a visit after a meeting in Cairo. The LNA is associated with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR).

Haftar and his delegation traveled to Cairo by private jet from Tobruk with a nine-member military delegation. He was expected to meet with a Russian delegation there. He stayed only a day and then flew on to Moscow.

Sputnik reports on his visit to Moscow. Haftar is called "the Libyan armed forces commander," a phrase that is interesting since only the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) is recognized by the UN and most of the international community. Neither the HoR nor Haftar recognize the GNA. Russia seems to be at the same time expressing support for the GNA but not recognizing it as fully legitimate until there is a vote of confidence by the HoR. To the Russians its term has not started even though it has been up and running for some time in Tripoli, at least in the naval base. It seems to lack control over the many militia. The agenda of the visit was not disclosed.

Another report said Haftar had been in Cairo to seek support for Operation Dignity and his fight against terrorist militia in Libya. Abu Baira, a member of the HoR said that Haftar's visit to Egypt comes within the framework of continuing consultations with Egyptian authorities. Baira said: “Afterwards, he went to Russia to seek support for the Libyan army against the militias.” The report notes that the international community is making moves to partially lift the arms embargo imposed on Libya. However, the UN is not likely to authorize any arms sales to Haftar unless he agrees to join a unified force with the GNA and approve the unity government.

There are signs that some deal with Haftar may be in the making. Haftar has changed his position on working with militia loyal to the GNA and also his critical view of Misrata militia. On the other hand, the GNA head Faiez Serraj is emphasizing the need for a unified command with all Libyan forces, and this would include Haftar and the GNA. Serraj said: "We are convinced that the only way to end this organisation (IS) is through a united military command that brings together all Libyans from every region of the country." This is a strange statement to make given that the Islamic State is virtually defeated as it is surrounded by forces loyal to the GNA in Sirte and this was achieved without any unification with Haftar forces,. Haftar has not taken part in the Sirte offensive at all after announcing more than three weeks ago that he would liberate Sirte. The statement shows though that Serraj is anxious to have Haftar on board. This view may not be shared by some other members of the GNA.

According to the Libya Herald, Haftar is in Moscow in part to seek spare parts for warplanes along with fresh weaponry. Haftar had preliminary talks with the Russians while in Cairo. From the Egyptians he is said to have received promises of support in training and logistics but also weapons supplies. Haftar has visited Moscow previously and seems to have achieved the indirect delivery of four helicopter gunships Mi-35s. The helicopters may have been delivered through the UAE which apparently does not use them. While Russia is not likely to openly violate the UN arms embargo on Libya it could provide Haftar with intelligence and technical support. Perhaps it could also provide weapons surreptitiously through the UAE as well.

There are reports that the president of the HoR, Ageela Saleh also went to Russia. If he did so the meeting of the HoR planned for today will no doubt be canceled. Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), had tweeted yesterday that he was going to Tobruk to encourage HoR members to vote confidence in the GNA. So far there are no reports of what is going on if anything.