Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD. With Libya on the brink of another civil war, foreign powers are already jostling for the spoils ... France . Salah al Namroush, the defence minister of the UN-backed government of GNA in Libya on Friday reproached France for throwing its weight behind warlord Khalifa Haftar. Paris does not want to isolate itself from the man helping it to gain influence in Libya. Haftar has ignored international calls for a halt to his advance on Tripoli, launched while UN Secretary-General. This site uses cookies. Medical specialists that WHO #Libya deployed to support frontline hospitals are helping perform dozens of surgeries. The shelling came a day after seven people were killed when Grad rockets hit a densely populated district of Tripoli, which the LNA has been trying to take, deepening the chaos that has plagued the. Lethal A.I. It is on this basis that the nature of France’s relationship with Haftar is most relevant. Matteo Salvini, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, last year accused France of supporting Haftar and showing "no interest in stabilising the situation". Calling Khalifa Haftar a ‘war criminal’, Defence Minister Salah Al-Namroush says the warlord continues to violate the ceasefire with the help of foreign mercenaries. Will Iraq and Turkey develop a security cooperation against the PKK? Show people, places and other topics in this story. France was the only European country to back Haftar against the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli, which has recently been boosted by Turkey’s support that has changed … He also brushed aside France’s criticism of Turkey’s role in Libya, arguing that the strategic partnership between the GNA and Ankara was "clear and public", while the arrangements between Haftar and his foreign backers are made in secret. Haftar has ignored international calls for a halt to his advance on Tripoli, launched while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was visiting Tripoli on April 4 in a bid to jumpstart a peace process between rival Libyan camps. Al Namroush indicated that the GNA was ready to engage in talks to forge a political solution, only on the condition, however, that warlord Haftar is sidelined once and for all. Ahmed Jadallahi, REUTERS | Protesters demand an end to the Khalifa Haftar's offensive on the Tripoli, in Martyrs Square, Tripoli, Libya April 12, 2019. “The support France has provided to the putschist and pirate Haftar… has exacerbated the crisis in Libya,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, according to Reuters. I support everything that strengthens the security of French people and the countries that are friends of France. Deby is a key ally of France’s anti-Islamist Operation Barkhane in … STIRRING THE POT Paris insists that it is committed to upholding the UN-backed Libyan political agreement while recommending that it be amended to … Tunisia will help stability efforts in Libya – Turkey, Arrest warrants issued for Haftar, three commanders in Libya, No ceasefire for now in Libya – Haftar tells Macron, Europe’s far-right parties make headway amid Covid-19 pandemic, Friends, the virus and the future: a chat with revered Ferzan Ozpetek, No one left outside: Istanbul and Ankara shelter the homeless in hotels, 2020 Human Development Report urgently calls for nature-based development. 18 Apr 2019 ; Forces loyal to GNA gesture after taking control of the area of Al Aziziyah, located some 40 km south of Tripoli. Mortars crashed down on Al-Suani on Thursday, almost hitting a clinic and adding to people's suffering after two weeks of an offensive by Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA). Speaking to France 24, Al Namroush described French support to Haftar as a “shameful act", saying the warlord is a ‘war criminal’ who has no place in Libya's future, which includes the process of political resolution. France, which has oil assets in eastern Libya, has provided military assistance in past years to Haftar in his eastern stronghold, Libyan and French officials say.. France wants Haftar to rule Libya. 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The shelling came a day after seven people were killed when Grad rockets hit a densely populated district of Tripoli, which the LNA has been trying to take, deepening the chaos that has plagued the oil-producing nation since 2011. On the other side, Haftar made no secret of the ties with France nor about the modern weaponry he had received from Paris despite a U.N. arms embargo on Libya. France called on Monday for talks among NATO allies on what it said was Turkey’s increasingly “aggressive” role in Libya. #GNA's Minister of Interior Bashagha demands that the head of the international relations & cooperation committee cease all its bilateral activities and agreements with #France (including in security cooperation) due to #Paris' relentless backing of #Haftar. France had backed Haftar, putting Paris at odds with its EU partners. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning, Take international news everywhere with you! Along the way, Paris ended up antagonising its NATO partner, Italy. Sarraj unveils 'initiative' to end Libyan 'crisis'. Its troops have won back control of several cities from the forces of Field Marshal Haftar, albeit with Turkish support but also with that of a population apparently hostile to the idea of a … Khalifa Haftar خليفة حفتر Haftar in 2011 Birth nameKhalifa Belqasim Haftar Born1943 Ajdabiya, Italian Libya Allegiance Kingdom of Libya Libyan Arab Republic Libyan Arab Jamahiriya National Front for the Salvation of Libya State of Libya Service/branchLibyan National Army Years of service1966–1987; 2011–present Rank Field Marshal Commands heldLibyan National Army Battles/wars Yom Kippur War C… France supporting Haftar: Libya 18 Apr 2019 Forces loyal to GNA gesture after taking control of the area of Al Aziziyah, located some … Six of Haftar's officers were also named in the warrant issued by the military prosecutor general, which was published by the unity government's press office. Paris does not want to isolate itself from the man helping it to gain influence in Libya. France denied the accusations and reaffirmed its support for the government in Tripoli. Libya asks France to explain how its arms reached Haftar forces. GNA’s military prosecutor issues arrest warrant against renegade General Khalifa Haftar and 6 other LNA officials following the bombing of residential areas in tripoli with heavy artillery https://t.co/LsiJaMIT3d. Plastics aren’t going anywhere. Should Turkey stop importing them? France rejects Libya's 'unfounded' claim it supports militia leader Khalifa Haftar. Reteriating the GNA’s commitment to the 5+5 military  agreement, Al Namroush said Haftar continues to wage war with the help of foreign mercenaries as he recently attacked several provinces in the southern part of the country. Each missile is worth $170,000 and the US only sells it to "close allies," such as France. (ANSAmed) - CAIRO, DECEMBER 10 - Ahmed al-Mismari, spokesman for the National Libyan Army led by General Khalifa Haftar, said on Sky News Arabia on Wednesday, "we are in war with Turkey" and "we have declared a ceasefire" only "in respect of efforts by the international community and the desire of the Libyans to put an end … Le Drian is known to be the architect of France’s Libya policy. France was the only European country to back Haftar against the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli, which has recently been boosted by Turkey's support that has changed the course of the … The UN-recognised government seeks urgent answers after Paris conceded its missiles were found with pro- Haftar forces. From Morocco to Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and beyond, a wide area of French influence is tentatively emerging in Africa and the Middle East. France has thus far feigned ignorance over supplying weapons and offering logistical support to Haftar's forces. With the support of mercenaries, Haftar attacked the south of Libya at a time when the Tripoli government respected the ceasefire agreement, he added. France’s support for Libya’s Haftar is finally coming home to roost. Issued on: 18/04/2019 - 19:55Modified: 19/04/2019 - 08:04. The French government has acknowledged providing intelligence to Haftar, whom it considers an important ally in the fight against terrorism. The French government has acknowledged providing intelligence to Haftar, whom it considers an important ally in the fight against terrorism. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines. In Libya, Marshal Haftar Is Suffering Setbacks, France Too. "Any dealings with the French side in bilateral security agreements" will halt, the interior ministry in Tripoli said in a statement. It is on this basis that the nature of France’s relationship with Haftar is most relevant. Written by: SafaAlharathy. France’s role in Libya and its support to warlord Haftar. The Libyan Defence Minister expressed doubts on the planned elections in December 2021, saying such a democratic exercise is conducive to a relaxed atmosphere. A picture is worth a thousand words. France is under growing pressure to condemn Haftar's advance on the capital Tripoli -- rather than blame all sides of the conflict, like in the G7 Foreign Ministers statement issued last week. Since the event, France has time and again come under international scrutiny over its role in Libya's civil war. GNA Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj in April accused the Macron administration of backing a "dictator.". Its troops have won back control of several cities from the forces of Field Marshal Haftar, albeit with Turkish support but also with that of a population apparently hostile to the idea of a military … The Defense Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Salah Al-Namroush, said it was a “shame” that France had supported Khalifa Haftar for years and expressed hope that it would change its position. Haftar’s Benghazi-based LNA has become bogged down in the southern suburbs of the capital. Subscribe to our Youtube channel for all latest in-depth, on the ground reporting from around the world. Libya has halted its security cooperation with France after accusing Paris of supporting military strongman Khalifa Haftar. In July 2019, a Pentagon investigation concluded that Paris had supplied American-made anti-tank missiles to Haftar's forces. Al-Namroush spoke to France 24 and described in an interview Haftar as a ‘war criminal’, … France under pressure to condemn Haftar's assault on Tripoli as EU seeks unity on Libya crisis. Salvini went on with his critique and declared that its European neighbour was going against NATO's position on Libya because its oil interests were opposed to those of Italy. Why is there war in Libya? Haftar fought against terrorism in Benghazi and in southern Libya and that was in our interest, and that of the Sahel countries and Libya’s neighbors. A spokesman for the GNA said it was seeking an international arrest warrant against Haftar for "war crimes" and two UN experts were expected in Tripoli later on Thursday to investigate the origin of rocket fire that killed six people the previous day. pic.twitter.com/94zXHzsQq1. Khalifa Haftar a notamment été soigné en France en avril 2018. Speaking to France 24, Al Namroush described French support to Haftar as a “shameful act", saying the warlord is a ‘war criminal’ who has no place … It is with some irony that the French Ambassador to Libya expressed “being deeply shocked” to discover Haftar’s cohorts were marching on Tripoli in … France supporting Haftar: Libya. France has come to realize that warlord Khalifa Haftar in Libya is a “passive,” according to the Financial Times on Monday.. France was the only European country to support Haftar against the internationally recognized government of Tripoli, which has recently been reinforced by Turkish support that … "As we have already stated on several occasions: France supports the legitimate government of Prime Minister (Fayez al-)Sarraj and the mediation of the UN for an inclusive political solution in Libya," a French presidential official said. Toll for armed conflict in #Tripoli is 205 dead and 913 wounded. France has come to realize that warlord Khalifa Haftar in Libya is a “liability,” according to the Financial Times on Monday. Salah al Namroush, the defence minister of the UN-backed government of GNA in Libya on Friday reproached France for throwing its weight behind warlord Khalifa Haftar. This is one of the motives behind France and Italy’s tensionson the Libyan issue. Much to the shock and embarrassment of the Macron administration, Paris's position on Libya was revealed in 2016 when three undercover French soldiers died in a helicopter crash in Benghazi. Al Namorush added that the GNA is ready to engage in military battle against the warlord and his forces should the ceasefire were not to hold. Which way is the Libyan civil war headed? "We say to the United Nations and the Security Council: listen. He described Italy as … Esam Omran Al-Fetori, Reuters | Khalifa Haftar’s forces pose for a picture as they head out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. The arrest warrant came as fighting intensified in the southwestern Tripoli suburb of Al-Suani with heavy shelling and mortar fire. France has always denied arming Gen Haftar's forces, but has offered diplomatic support. "Furthermore, the president's legitimate interlocutor is Prime Minister Sarraj, with whom the president spoke on Monday to reaffirm this support.". Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, of the anti-immigrant League party, accused France of cooperating with Haftar. But it is, in fact, Haftar, who is attacking the same government, to whom the favours of France go. FRANCE 24 spoke to Salah el Din Al-Namroush, the Defence Minister of Libya's government of national accord, which is recognised by the United Nations. The tide is turning in favour of the coalition in power in Tripoli. April 14, 2019 - 16:50. ... "Les agissements des milices militaires sous le commandement d'Haftar en Libye entravent en premier lieu les efforts internationaux visant à asseoir un dialogue national libyen", accuse fréquemment Doha. was visiting Tripoli on April 4 in a bid to jumpstart a peace process between rival Libyan camps. The fighting has killed 205 people, including 18 civilians, and wounded 913 since the start of the campaign, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. Libyan Defense Minister Salah Eddine Namroush has described France's support to eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar as "shame". The French newspaper Le Monde quoted a French source as saying on Saturday, that Paris is seeking a return to stability and order in Libya by enabling Haftar to take over the country. According to French newspaper Le Monde, France has gone out of its way to ensure the warlord is fully armed, even deploying French special forces for the training of his militias. France has come to realize that warlord Khalifa Haftar in Libya is a "liability," according to the Financial Times on Monday. France, however, denied the allegation and said it supported the Libyan government in Tripoli. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. On the diplomatic front, France backs the UN-sponsored peace process between Libya’s main competing leaders, including the GNA’s Tripoli-based Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Haftar. The minister also said that Haftar’s forces were violating the ceasefire agreed upon by both camps in October as part of the 5+5 military commission. The tide is turning in favour of the coalition in power in Tripoli. “There is a Libyan crisis … France has always denied arming Gen Haftar's forces, but has offered diplomatic support. Although French media claims France was interested in resolving the Libyan conflict through peaceful means, the country has gone out of its way to ensure Haftar and his militias were fully armed, even deploying French special forces to train the warlord's men. EPA. France denies supporting Haftar, saying it has contact with all the actors in war-ravaged Libya where a complex mosaic of militias and political factions are competing for advantage. These links go back to 2011, but which Paris was not forcedto acknowledge until the summer of 2016, when three French NCOs of the DGSE on “commanded service” died in a heli… For one, it has violated the UN arms embargo on several occasions. Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha directed the head of the international relations and cooperation committee under the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) to cease all its bilateral activities and agreements (including security cooperation) due to France’s “relentless backing” of Haftar, tweeted London-based counter-terrorism expert Emad Badi. For this reason, please find a solution for us," said Youssef Salem, a displaced man from al-Suani.