Russian air base in Libya. Libya returns to the old ally: Russia will receive a military base. Russians in Libya
On the days of the Tunisian authorities detained a vessel with military equipment and ammunition in his port. The first reported by Maritime Bulletin ("Sea Bulletin") and Agency Agenzia Nova. According to Maritime Bulletin, the Ural ship ("Ural") under the flag of Panama went to Cameroon. Ship Operator - School company Akdeniz Roro. In Tunisian Port Sfax, the ship arrived for repairs - according to the Russian Embassy in the presentation of TASS, the vessel fell into the storm and requested an approach to the Tunisian port. In case of examination, the customs has discovered 24 containers with BMP, bulldorators, uniforms, radio and satellite equipment.
The agency claims that the authorities of the republic, of course, decided to check the crew of the vessel on involvement in terrorism. At the same time, Maritime Bulletin calls the Ural route strange: the ship crossed the Ionian Sea, which is not required if you go to Cameroon, then came to the coast of Libya, and after went to Sfax. Agenzia Nova also writes that such a route caused suspicion in Tunisia.
Later it turned out, again, according to information from Russian diplomats, that the mysterious truck came out of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. However, the same diplomats said that on February 20, the Tunisian authorities did not allow them on board the vessel, although they argue, there are no Russian citizens on it. The following version began to be refined: "The vessel belonging to the Turkish company Akdeniz Roro was sent from Novorossiysk to the Cameroon Port of Douala with a cargo intended for the authorities of the Central African Republic," the Agency of the word of the representative of the Russian diplomission leads. But the "Situation with the ship", it turns out that "not quite such", as described in the "Sea Bulletin".
These oddities are predictable. In this regard, it is mentioned that in January, the African cargo ship rammed the Russian warship of Yamal in Syria. This ship has previously repeatedly delivered goods to the Syrian Arab Republic, including ammunition.
Therefore, maneuvers in the Libyan coast of the "Turkish Ship", published from the Russian port, opened natural suspicions: in Libya, a country, mainly and consisting in a demographic sense - from one coast, a civil war continues. Over time, over the past two years, the information on the growing presence of Russian services in the country has been frustrated, whether private military companies over the increasing presence in the country. Especially difficult to verifiable, since officially such companies do not exist. And there is, for example, the firm "Europolis", which has a relevant favor of the American media and prosecutors to the military commanders to Evgeny Prigogina, who ordered orders for the compounds of the battalion level on the seizure of industrial facilities in Syria. But it hires builders, plumbers, electricians to work abroad. Why is it necessary in Syria? Why not in neutral Finland, the benefit of Peter not far?
True, in Finland, Putin can not yet, and he does not want to disperse a civil war, but in Libya Kremlin has long put on one of the parties - General Haftar Huthtar. Considering that the supply of weapons to Libya is illegal, the secrecy of such a smuggled mission is obvious, but the trouble, savings or abuse in the chain of contractors, who chartered an old vessel, led to such a confusion. Turkish, relatively friendly (albeit nearby, in Syrian Africa, Gang Assad and Putin shoot in the Turks hiding behind the local hybrid detachments, and both parties, in varying degrees, gets from Kurds) Company, Panaman flag, intricate official route.
But does this disguise help to deceive the government of the first and successful revolution of the Arab Spring, as well as his painful attentive French and American partners?
According to Tunisian Silovikov, the weapon was intended for illegal armed formations, and now the affair is the anti-terrorist division of the Ministry of Justice. There they believe that the equipment and military equipment are transported by this flagmologist "ichtamnets" the equipment and military equipment are intended for any little to create a military camp. It is noted that the crew of the vessel is detained, but its national composition Not voiced.
But here you should return a year ago.
In March 2017, Reuters Agency with reference to insider sources from the United States and Egypt reported that Russia had placed a small group of special forces in Egypt, next to the Libyan border. Speech (wrote about it "") She was about the airbase Sidi Barranran. Also, the Russian transportalete and a big drone were noticed. The number of the group was 22 people.
In early February, the same group was seen on another Egyptian base - in the city of Mersa Matru. The agency's interlocutors suggested that the Russians were sent to Egypt to support Libyan Feldmarshal Haftar Caliphs, the so-called supreme commander-in-chief of Libya armed forces. On him, with the variable success of a fight with the "Benghazi Defense Brigades" for control over oil terminals, in the Kremlin, apparently made a bet. True, official Moscow adhered to the line for the denial of his presence in Libya, the defeat in which in the days of the "Arab Spring" painfully struck by Putin's pride and motivated him to force his return to the presidential chair.
Middle Eastern media do not exclude the possibility that weapons on board Ural was intended to Libya, some friendly RF, a field commander, who visited the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov", suggests the chief editor of the "Marine Bulletin" Mikhail Voitenko.
This description corresponds to Haftar. He opposed the head of the government of the national unity Fayeza Sarage, which supports the West and the world community.
Earlier, in 2016, Haftar came twice with a visit to Moscow, publicly met with the Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Nikolai Patrushev, as well as with the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov. In January 2017, moving to the south of Libya, Haftar's forces faced the forces loyal to the Government of the National Unity, which Haftar does not recognize. Shortly thereafter, in August 2017, he conducted new negotiations with Lavrov and Shoigu about military assistance from the Russian Federation.
But why Moscow is the third war in a row? Yes, in the conditions of increasing stress on the Afghan-Tajik border and the Far East?
In Syria Putin invaded four reasons. This, firstly, the distraction of the attention of the plebs from the defeat of Russia deadlock in the Donbas.
Secondly, intimidation of the Western with an increase in militaristic rates and stimulating the outcome of migrants from the Middle East to the EU.
Thirdly, it is a "monarchist" clinging principle for Assad.
Finally, fourthly, the economic gain for its courtiers, such as sechin or prigaine, with a parallel comfortable utilization of "militias".
But Libya?
Drop price for oil? Continuing rates after the General Pants "Ampirathor" with such a crash burst on the banks of the Euphrate? Or again, put on the boretores and the need to take a restless warrior something? Banal revenge for the epic drop of Gaddafi? Or just some inertia? Alone, all these reasons do not play, because, for example, from Syria - in the context of the next genocide, Russians and the Iranians of the population of the suburb of Damascus, the Eastern Gute - not to distract attention. Moreover, on February 25, the Russian large landing ship "Azov" entered Tartus. Perhaps with new divisions of "vacationers", which will be sent in the assault by bleeding blood, as once Aleppo, Eastern Gute.
Meanwhile, sanctions continue to tighten on other reasons and directions. And the influence of the Libyan oil field for world prices today is meager. But it is possible to pay attention to the fact that shortly before the new year, December 17, Haftar spoke with a special statement, which was reported that all efforts to politically resolve the crisis in Libya failed and now it was time for the army to determine the future of the country. True, in Libya there is no government with full legitimacy, it broke up into cities with its militias, breeding groups, gangs and franchises of the Islamic state and Al-Qaida.
Nothing, except for the same chaos, as in Syria, will not bring Russian troops into this country. But, perhaps, bloody chaos with the ability to close a little and round the political and information capital and is the mission of Putin's Russia on the most distant African approaches? It is no longer surprised by nothing, but the stretchability of the front of this Kremlin parody of Bati's hiking is already too obvious.
It should be, however, with all the sympathy for the peoples of these countries who fell victim to the infantality of Western elites, note: the deeper the Russia in Syria and potentially, in Libya, the easier it will be the Ukrainians to keep their front and knock the enemy from the territories captured by him. Nevertheless, the case of Lee, Haltur Lee, or the observation of Tunisian border guards and their allies, is a chance to minimize the damage and the number of deaths that Moscow carries to the Grand Middle East. And a new, reasonable reason "enjoy", as the now official Vladimir Yakunin was expressed in telephone conversations With accomplices, Moscow still sanctions. So, the "Ural" catching is big and small, and I suppose, I suppose, in Tunisia, American investigators are outstretched from disguised Russian lazuts a fairly new and interesting information about the crimes of the world terrorist number one.
What does Russia do in Libya? SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2017
Syria is already increasingly clear. Western analysts are already openly talking that this intervention is successful because it made it possible to achieve an initially set goal, that is, the salvation of the Syrian government headed by Assad. Moreover, according to these same analysts and experts, "these results were achieved with sufficiently limited resources. They constitute, if we consider the forces attracted (from 4 to 5 thousand people and from 50 to 70 aircraft as the main force) and the costs of their Use (approximately 3 million euros per day), about the fourth or fifth of the American efforts in this region. "
Maybe someone does not know, but Russia takes a rather active position now in the long-suffering Libya. And what is she doing there?
This is how it is described by Western analysts.
Following the Russian military intervention in Syria, the role of Moscow in the Civil War in Libya may seem at first glance, something like a dejum. And again it seems that the Kremlin contributes to the consolidation of the power to the pro-Russian regional dictator and the creation of a "crescent of Russian influence" in the Middle East. As well as President of Syria Assad, Haftar often positions itself with a stronghold against the militant extremism in Libya, the article says.
"However, Russia's actual strategy does not imply Libya's bombing to make it recognize its leader of Moscow. The intentions of Russia in Libya in a much greater extent suggest cooperation with the international community, although not to the detriment of their own national interests," the authors say.
Khalifa Haftar
"There is no doubt that Russia has bet on Haftara," the authors write. He was repeatedly accepted in Moscow as a foreign leader already located in his post.
Moscow printed Libyan dinars worth about $ 3 billion on behalf of the Central Bank of Libya, controlled by Haftar, and sent Russian specialists to repair and update LNA military equipment, which is almost fully based on the Soviet Arsenal, the article says.
"Russia expects to achieve three advantages from Haftara's support. First, Moscow hopes that Haftar, ultimately, will receive enough political power to give Russia an honorable privilege of the conclusion of economic transactions, which compensates for its financial losses: $ 150 million. Profit from construction Projects, $ 3 billion - from a contract with Russian Railways, up to $ 3.5 billion from energy transactions and at least $ 4 billion from the sale of weapons, which occurred due to the fall of the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, "the authors argue.
"Secondly, Russia expects Helttar to help strengthen its military situation in the Mediterranean, which will allow Moscow to extend its influence from the coast of Europe and strengthen its position in the Middle East and in North Africa. In 2008, Gaddafi began to discuss the question of Russian military. marine bases in Libya. Although none of them was, ultimately, leased, russian officials Returned to this idea, discussed with Haftar the opportunity to open the base near Benghazi, "the article says.
Finally, Russia is looking for political benefits from the ability to resolve regional crises. Taking into account this purpose by Russia, it would be too risky to rely exclusively on Haftar, whose ability to establish control over the whole country is still doubted by the authors. It is with this that they associate the readiness of Russia to cooperate in the UN with the international community in Libya and the support is extremely unprofitable for Haftar Embargo on the import of weapons into the country.
"Russia may be more profitable to the Coalition Government in Libya with Hattar as the head of the Armed Forces than the government fully controlled by Hattar. The first will mean to some extent, political reconciliation between the main conflicting parties in the state and, therefore, sufficient stability, Guaranteeing long-term economic investments and the construction of military facilities that Russia seeks without fear that it can all be suddenly lost, as after the fall of Gaddafi, "the authors believe.
"Ultimately, the main return on investment in Libya, which Russia expects is not a base and not a contract. This is the ability to justify one of the central ideas that she tells the world and its citizens all the last years: what the US broke out, Can repair Russia, "Pigmen and Orton conclude.
sources
Russia continues to take comprehensive diplomatic, military and humanitarian efforts to normalize the situation in Libya. On the eve of a visit to Moscow, the commander of the Libyan National Army was visited Khalifa Haftar. He is called "New Gaddafi", assuming that only he can unite the country destroyed by the Civil War. In the meantime, Reuters extended the information that the Russian special forces was seen in Egypt, not far from Libya's border.
According to the agency, American intelligence noted military personnel, similar to Russian special forces, as well as drones at Sidi Barranian Air Base in a hundred kilometers from the Libyan border. At the same time, the Americans have complained that the Russian military often do not use a uniform that complicates their identification. In turn, the sources in the Egyptian security forces clarified that we are talking about 22 fighters of Russian special forces, which in early February used another Egyptian base - in the city of Mersa-Matruh.
The purpose of the transfer of Russian specialists to the Libyan border, in the opinion of American diplomats, may be the military-technical support for the forces of the Commander Hattar, who recently could not bring off the attack of Benghazi Defense Brigades on the oil ports controlled by it. Earlier, Moscow unequivocally made it clear about Haftar's support, inviting him on board the aviance cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, where a video conference with the Minister of Defense was organized by Libyans Sergey Shoigu.
The Council of Federation noted that the Kremlin did not apply for permission to introduce troops into Libya, as it was in the case of Syria. Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov Called the message Reuters "duck". According to another senator - Viktor LakesThe purpose of this information could be the desire of the United States to distract attention from "Washington's decision to send American special forces to Syria for the assault of Rakki." In the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, information about the Russian special forces in Egypt denied. In the Kremlin, excessive interference in Libya was called inappropriate. Meanwhile, it became known that Russia still promised Haftar military assistance.
Information about military preparations in Libya was published against the background of a diplomatic game, which Moscow leads. During yesterday's meeting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov Adopted not only the commander of the Khalifa Haftar, but also a personal representative of the Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Akil Salehaas well as ambassador Libya in Russia Abdelbaset Badri. Moscow confirmed the intention to ensure the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya, for which it is planned to establish an "inclusive dialogue" with representatives of all the meaningful forces of this African country.
Note that the political and military opponent Hfthara - Phasis Saraj. Also in Moscow on a visit - back in early March. Earlier concerns about the participation of Russia in a political settlement, the Minister of Defense of Great Britain Michael Fallon. "We do not think that the beast grew up in their" zoo ", which can indicate a bear," the Shoigu replied to him.
In the Libya itself "The Hand of Moscow" is increasingly noticeable. Last week, the media reported on the participation of the "employees of the private military company RSB-Group" in demining the cement plant in Benghazi. On the eve of the head of the RSB-Group Oleg Kritsyn I confirmed this information, specifying the truth that the contract was concluded by the civil line. Nevertheless, the company's activity itself is demining, unequivocally indicates the nature of this structure affiliated with the military.
Expert RSMD and Institute of the Middle East Sergey Balmasov Recalls that at the first stage of the Syrian campaign, Moscow also did not confirm his military preparations:
- What is in Russia, in the Council, will deny everything - expected. Maybe they even have an installation - to say that they do not know anything. Remember, Syria: No one believed that Russia would enter the Middle East. Then, in August, in September, the first photos of our military in Tartus began to appear. The French published others too. And only then we began to confirm. It is reasonable. If some forces in Libya are tightened, why scream about it? Otherwise, the opponent is an example countermeasure.
"SP": - But the appearance of Haftara in Moscow is definitely not a fake ...
- It does not surprise. In early March, the Brigade of Protection Benghazi, having received the assistance of Algerian special services, the help of Saraj, the help of Turkey and Qatar, caused a serious countercourse with Haftar. They took two ports: Es-Cider and Ras-Lanuf and tried to take Advabia, although they were repulsed. Now Haftar requires reinforcement. He needs and weapons and fighters. Although Haftar is considered "Strongman," people have a good full-fledged division, but no more.
He announced mobilization, but it is not a fact that these people will be combed. But with a weapon, Haftar has no special problems. Libya weapon flooded. During the conflict of 2011, the French, the British, the Italians transferred there a mass of "trunks", and quite new ones. With which haftara is really tight, so it is with intelligence. Therefore, an unexpected blow to his ports was applied. His troops then were torn to other directions. So drones for him would not be superfluous.
The goal of Haftar is serious - in the near future to overthrow the governments of the Saraj and establish their power in Libya. In addition to Russia, it supports Egypt. Opponent Haftar - Saraj Moscow, apparently not impressed. In Bloomberg was an interview Gennady Gatilova (deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation - Avt.), where he directly called the Government of Saraj "Easy". He focuses few people and few people obey him.
"SP": - that is, Russia does not eliminate the conflict in Libya?
- Russia in Libya has serious interests. One of them is the return of more than a 2 billion contract, which lost Russian Railways. We are talking about the railway Sirt - Benghazi. In addition, Russia hopes for military contracts. After all, Libya is not Tajikistan. There are live money there. Despite the fall in volumes, exports of oil and gas from there continues.
"SP": - Are there any danger to get bogged in Libyan conflict?
- No one will give guarantees that Khaftar's pricorm will result. He has no living money. Rather, there will be a request for deliveries on credit. According to the Soviet experience, it is known that this is not the best way. There is still a factor of the West. We will counteract. The involvement in the conflict occurs gradually: first military materials, then advisors, then volunteers, etc. We were dragged into the Syrian conflict, they can draw in Libya. It should be understood that Libya split according to the historical principle. Should we try to actually sew it all this is the question.
"SP": - For this, apparently, you need a new "Gaddafi" ...
- Haftar is partly such and is. He is a former colonel of the army of Gaddafi, who fled after the defeat in Chad. Now he repeats the Gaddafi many of his own actions. He openly declared a single Libya.
Libya Expert, Lecturer HSE Gregory Lukyanov It believes that Khalifa Haftar at the moment has the strongest position in Libya and the bid of Moscow is justified for it.
- The situation inside Libya is such that the conflict that has distinguished in recent years on a constant transformation and now continues to change. In December 2015, a Schiharate agreement was concluded, which was the basis for the political settlement of the Libyan crisis. However, all the efforts of the UN and other intermediaries did not give. The government of the national unity of the platform for the negotiations of the two parliaments has not become, and has become one of the centers of power. The main concern was the fight against Igil * in the area of \u200b\u200bSirta. Now the city is released, although IHIL was completely destroyed to the end.
"SP": - What is the balance of forces in Libya now?
- At the end of 2016, the conflict moved to a new stage. All major configuring groups in Libya have a powerful military basis. Without it, it is impossible to be a political entity in Libya. At the former general, and now Marshal Khalifa Haftar has such a tool as the Libyan National Army. Today, this tool looks most attractive for a number of international intermediaries, including Russia, France, Italy. First of all, due to its irreconcilable position in relation to Islamism.
Haftar insists that the Islamists have no place in the future of the political space of New Libya. Moreover, this applies not only to ISIL, but also "Muslim Brothers" ** ( their positions are strong in the neighboring Egypt - auth.) and moderate Islamist groups, which relies the Government of the Saraj and who form the basis of another center of force - the Government of National Rescue in Tripoli led by Al-Gvella Khalifa. As a result, at the end of December - early January, the inability to negotiate led to the collision of the Libyan "Muslim Brothers" and the Army of Haftar. Then the fights stretched to the coastal zone where the main oil ports are located.
Under these conditions and the neighbors of Libya, and the countries of Southern Europe are interested in stabilizing the situation and withdrawing it into the political channel. However, these countries have no conditions for such negotiations in which Haftar would feel confident. Therefore, Libyan General appeals to Russia. Moreover, other political forces of Libya are also coming. One of the reasons is non-participation in Russia in the Libyan conflict. In addition, Russia's experience in Syria is perceived by them, and in the world too, very positive. Algeria and Tunisia and Egypt understand that Libya needs a strong leader capable of bringing order. Russia, which has resources and political will, just can provide support in this.
"SP": - What exactly do I need to Libyan grouping?
- They need financial support, weapons, ammunition, military equipment, as well as assistance in mastering it. They need military instructors who can also manage combat actions in the field. Such as Russian advisers in Syria. They need Russian support in the UN Security Council, since they first need to remove the embargo on the supply of weapons and military technologies to Libya. In order to increase the military power of the new legitimate force already officially. Let me remind you, in 2011, prohibiting military deliveries of UN Security Council resolution was adopted. She acts now.
So Russia has almost no competitors in Libya. France is in the election state. Italians are perceived as former colonizers. The part of the elite, which was all these years in political emigration, is also watching Moscow. This is the part of the Libyan business that did not participate in the Civil War and managed to take out its capital and place them in reliable countries. They are interested in returning to the country and restore it. Therefore, what Russia did in Syria seems more than acceptable and in demand in their own country. Although Khalifa Haftar is not indisputable figure. In addition, he is not young. Russia first is necessary to look at those who are behind him.
* The Islamic State is prohibited in Russia, as a terrorist organization on December 29, 2014.
** "Muslim Brotherhood" (Al-Miavan Al-Muslimun), the organization is prohibited in the territory of Russia as extremist 14.02.2003.
Russia strengthens relations with Khalifa Hattar, one of the most powerful political leaders in Libya to open there military base, writes DW.
Last week, Moscow visited the Libyan Military Caliph Haftar, which controls a significant part of the Libyan Republic. According to the media, Libyan wanted to agree on the supply of Russian weapons to further combat Islamists in Libya, and Moscow tried to get permission to accommodate his military base in the country.
On the eve of the Libyan Government of National Unity announced the taking of coastal Sirta in the east of Libya. The news was sounded after the set of many diplomatic initiatives to resolve the Libyan conflict and six months of battles for native city Muammar Gaddafi, who became the stronghold of the "Islamic state" (forbidden in Russia a terrorist organization - ed.)in 2015.
Khalifa Haftar
This victory has become a great success for government troops, which in the east of the country constitute the competition of the generals of the General Caliph Haftar. In recent months, he took control of Benghazi and Oil Crescents with the help of its own forces, which consist of various armed groups and divisions of the Libyan Army. General Haftar receives support for Egypt and the UAE, and can also rely on loyal supporters, primarily in his native Kerenaica. Per lately He managed to become a leader in the fight against Islamists.
According to L'Orient-Le Jour, it is precisely in such a future that two trips to Moscow should be considered at the end of June and at the end of November. The Russian press believes that he had meetings with the Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as secretary General Security Council of the Russian Federation. There, he probably asked to provide military assistance and put air strikes on Islamists as part of his offensive in the East of Libya. Although now, of course, it is still too early to argue that Moscow will begin military intervention in Libya, it is impossible to fully discount a similar perspective, in particular, after Russia expanded its role in the region, having military support to President Bashar Assad and fully changed the alignment In the Syrian conflict. "Two haftar trips to Moscow from the summer of 2016 were fruitful, but not because he got modern weapons, but because he managed to establish connections and bring bridges, having prepared the soil for Russian military assistance after the removal of the UN-Embargo," the expert believes According to Libya Ronald Bruce Saint-John (Bruce St-John).
According to the expert on Libya, Mattia Taldo, the establishment of connections with Libya will help Russia to strengthen relations with Egypt and even stronger to strengthen its position in the Middle East. Just like the President of Egypt, the Libyan leader Haftar is a leaving of power structures, which is actively struggling with political Islamism and terrorism.
The plans of Russia on the construction of the military base expert in an interview with the publication could not confirm, but it is confident that their implementation would significantly strengthen the situation of Russia in the Mediterranean. Conversations about the construction of a military base recently sounds louder, but discussed and just the possibility of obtaining the right of mooring vessels in Benghazi ports.
As Turkish media write with the help of a military base in Benghazi Russia by 700 kilometers bring to Europe as its naval and air force. The region of Russian interests also includes oil resources of Libya. While thanks to the support of Russia, which enjoy political smutch in the country, Haftar will strengthen its position in front of competitors, Russia will be able to engage in oil games around Libya.
So far, Moscow (officially) has no position in Libya, but it implements programs on its territory, approves a specialist in Russia from the French Institute of International Relations Julien Wepti. "Moscow sent dozens of instructors to the country to help the forces of General Haftar in Tobruk," he says, emphasizing the unlikely "official" military intervention in the foreseeable future.
Of the same opinion, Ronald Bruce Saint-John is adhered. According to him, Russia, most likely, would be limited to the military, financial and political support of the forces of General Haftar. Moscow has long been sought to get a naval base in the Mediterranean and (unsuccessfully) tried to extend her to Libya (during the conference before signing the Parisian peace treaty in 1947) at the negotiations with the West after World War II.
"Using Russia of the Egyptian military base Sidi Barranran less than 100 kilometers from the Libyan border can be a compromise in the context of strengthening military and anti-terrorism cooperation between Moscow and Cairir," believes Julien wepti.
Such intervention would give Moscow a lot. According to Ronald Bruce Saint John, the main task foreign Policy Russia under Vladimir Putin is the restoration of prestige lost after the end of the cold war and influence both in the international arena and in the Middle East. In addition, it should be noted that the Russian leadership "sincerely concerned" the threat of radical Islam and the prospect of the return of Islamists to Russia for carrying out terrorist attacks.
In addition to the desire to entrust himself in Libya and expand the influence in the region, it is worth noting the attractiveness for Russia of the military profile of General Haftar, especially since from 1978 to 1983 he studied in Moscow, emphasizes Julien wepti. In addition, the Kremlin seeks to reduce the role of Syria in his Middle East politics, and "the big activity in the Libyan front logically fits into this approach."
Divine between two governments. One with the capital in Tripoli is supported by the UN, while the second government in Tobruka is supported by Haftar. The Libyan Military Many see as a leader who can unite the country: He and his Libyan National Army are known for cleaning Benghazi and some other cities from Islamists.
With reference to the anonymous American and Egyptian military-diplomatic sources, said that Russia allegedly placed military specialists and drones at the air base in Egypt near the Libyan border. In this case, no confirmation of information has led the agency. Egyptian military officially categorically denied this data.
According to American government and diplomatic sources of Reiter, "the placement of the military can be part of the attempt to support the commander of the Libyan Army Haftar.
Anonymous sources say that "the United States has noticed something that it is likely to be Russian troops and drones" in Sidi-Barranran in approximately 100 kilometers from the Libyan border. Egyptian sources reported to the agency that 22 military arrived on the base.
The Egyptian army denies the presence of Russian servicemen. "On the territory of Egypt there are no foreign military from any country. This is a question of sovereignty," the Agency of the word of the representative of the army of Tamere Al-Rifai leads.
The agency also notes that he could not independently confirm the presence of Russian military, drones or aircraft in Egypt.
The first deputy chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council on International Affairs, Vladimir Dzhabarov, commenting on media reports, called them fake and noticed that they did not cost attention, and the head of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Committee, Victor Ozers, found them to continue the anti-Russian rhetoric.
Previously, the Reuters already performed with similar materials on the "Russian military presence in Libya". Last week, there was information that several dozen employees of the Russian private military company RSB-Group were deminiced the industrial object in Benghazi. However, it turned out later that the agency issued specialists from a commercial company for "mercenaries". The official representative of the Libyan Army Colonel Ahmed Al-Missari clarified RIA Novosti that it was about a cement plant in this city.
In turn, the owner of the RSB-Group Oleg Kritsyn explained RIA Novosti that the company was not military - its specialists really cleaned an important enterprise in Libya, but the contract was concluded by the civil line.
Reports of anonymous sources Reuters appeared against the background of statements by the American and British military departments that last weeks They began to actively express anxiety in connection with the contacts of representatives of Russia and Libya. In particular, on March 9, the Pentagon officials on the hearings in the US Senate said this. Earlier, the Minister of Defense of Britain Michael Fallon stated that the West was not satisfied with the contacts of the Russian Federation with Libya. According to the British Minister, Moscow, contacting the commander of the National Army of Libya Khalifa Hattar, "checks the West for strength, checks the alliance." Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in turn, later commented on the statement of the British colleague that the West does not want the "Bear to feed his paws to Libya," saying that the beast grew up in their zoo, which can indicate a bear " .
Haftar is known as an enemy of Islamists, troops under his command are fighting with the group of ig * in the city of Benghazi. Haftar in 2016 visited Moscow in June and in November for meetings with the heads of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defense, as well as Secretary of Security Council. According to the commander, the supply of weapons was not discussed, since Russia adheres to the UN-Impargo against Libya.
* The terrorist group "Islamic state" (IG) is prohibited in Russia.
