Russia Urges Libya Leadership Role for UN-Defying Military Chief
- Top Russian diplomat says Haftar is ‘leading political figure’
- UN envoy ignoring influential players in Libya, Gatilov says
General Khalifa Haftar, center, commander of the armed forces loyal to the internationally recognised Libyan government, is greeted upon his arrival at Al-Kharouba airport south of the town of al-Marj on Dec. 3, 2016.
Photographer: Abdullah Doma/AFP via Getty ImagesRussia threw its weight behind a powerful Libyan army commander, Khalifa Haftar, who’s in conflict with the UN-backed government there, saying he must have a role in the leadership of the crisis-wracked state.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov criticized the United Nations’ envoy to Libya for favoring other political forces in the North African country. His comments marked Russia’s strongest endorsement yet of Haftar, which may complicate Western-led efforts to shore up the weak, internationally-recognized government in the capital, Tripoli. Russia says the UN-mandated body is ineffective.