Russia continues to play an important role in Libya. Not surprising, that Moscow as the venue for the talks have chosen leaders of the opposing sides - Marshal Khalifa Haftar and head of government of national consent Faiz Saraj.
In Libya, Putin and Erdogan – on opposite sides
From midnight 12 January Saraj and Haftarah agreed to a temporary cease-fire in Libya. This decision was taken under pressure from Russia and Turkey - that Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan made this idea at a recent meeting.
Actually, Russia's attention to the Libyan civil war is not surprising. The conflict in Libya has long outgrown the national and even North African scales. Against the background of the gradual elimination of the Libyan problem the United States and even the European countries, Russia and Turkey have become major players and that their interests are now facing in the distant North African country.
Despite repeated statements about Moscow, that Russia will not support any of the parties to the conflict and calls for its termination, all clear, Kremlin puts on Khalifa Haftar. Marshall has repeatedly met with senior military leadership Russia.
Recently, Turkey has openly declared that, in Libya on the side Haftorah can fight Russian mercenaries from private military companies. true, Vladimir Putin stressed in response, that if the war in Libya and Russian citizens, they do not represent Russia as a state and do not represent their interests.
In its turn, Ankara supports Faiza Sarraj and his government of national consensus. And not only supports diplomatic and information, but also financially, and even military aid. New 2020 the year began with the transfer of units of the Turkish army in Libya. They had at least instruct troops GNU, and as a maximum – fight is against Russian-backed Haftorah.
Of course, turning Turkey into the war the enemy in Libya in Moscow has no plans. After all, Putin and Erdogan in good relations, it is not so long ago managed to practically solve the Syrian problem, so is it worth it to Libya, that because of her quarrel again?
Why does Russia need the Libyan coast?
Russian political interests in Libya are directly related to the economic component, They are an expression. After Libya - one of the most oil-rich countries of the African continent. Extract oil in Libya easily, and exported through the Libyan ports - even easier. Back in February, 2017 g. Rosneft head Igor Sechin signed with the Libyan representatives of the agreement on cooperation in oil exploration and production. But it is not only oil interests us in Libya.
"Gates of Africa into the Mediterranean Sea" – is the name of the former Jamahiriya in Europe and the Arab world. For Russia, it would be very well equipped in Libya, for example - in the same Tobruk, the naval base, which would allow control of the southern part of the Mediterranean Sea. halifa haftorah, a military man, and owes much to Russia, It could well take this step.
However, for oil, and for the construction of a naval base need one single condition - stabilization, though relative, the African country, blazing nine years after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. Marshal Haftarah as a military man and charismatic in terms of establishing order over Moscow trusts, Faiz than Saraj. Although not openly pushes Saraj.
LDF Haftorah Italian ship detained, suspected of smuggling weapons
Of course, optimal for the Russian scenario of further development of the events in Libya would win Khalifa Haftar and determine their control over the entire territory of Libya. Especially, that marshal support and the same French, which are also convinced: commander quickly restore order in the country without democratic traditions, than the policy of the government of national consent.
But in Moscow are well aware, Turkey and some other countries do not allow the Haftarah overthrow the government in Tripoli. It can not openly support Russia and Haftorah, as the government Saraj such as recognized by the UN and is considered legitimate.
So now the main task for the Russian side - to prevent the escalation of the conflict, and to bring opponents to the negotiating table. And then you can think of, including, and the creation of a coalition government, in which there would be a place and supporters Haftorah, and supporters Saraj.
Ilya Polonsky
