Is Libyan Marshal Khalifa Haftar on the hot seat?

Text by: RFI Follow

Egypt and Russia, allies of Marshal Khalifa Haftar, put another personality on the front of the stage to represent eastern Libya: Aguila Saleh, the president of the Parliament.

Publicity

His last setbacks in the west as well as for the capture of the capital sign every day the obvious failure and the weakening of Marshal Haftar . Several western capitals can no longer bear his refusal of the agreements and his reversals on agreements already found for Libya.

Playing a card other than that of Khalifa Haftar for the Libyan West, "  it is more than a need, it is a necessity  " even confides a Libyan official abroad.

A civilian?

Sources close to the Parliament in Benghazi say that Russia, the United States and the UN "  are actively looking for another personality who better respects the agreements for the next period  " all the more since the camp of Fayez al-Sarraj categorically refuses to sit at the same table as Marshal Haftar, "  the putschist  " as they prefer to call it. The replacement of the eastern Libyan warlord would be a prerequisite for a possible possible return to the negotiating table in Libya.

A name circulates to replace him: Aguila Saleh, the head of the Libyan Parliament elected but whose mandate has run out like that of all Libyan institutions. Moscow receives it less than 24 hours after refusing Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's visit. From Moscow as from Cairo, Aguila Saleh multiplies declarations to promote peace and the return to discussions. Would he be the man chosen by the international community to replace Khalifa Haftar?

Discreet, seen as " erased " behind Khalifa Haftar, he has however managed to emerge from the shadows and differentiate himself from him in recent months. He showed him his opposition when Haftar withdrew from the Skhirat agreement signed in 2015 to announce the dissolution of all Libyan institutions, including the Parliament which had given it its legitimacy. He declares to take power by an amendment from the Libyan people. Encouraged by Moscow, Aguila Saleh launched her peace initiative last April, an initiative taken up in the recent Egyptian declaration and promoted by Moscow and other European capitals for a return to dialogue.

International pressure

Khalifa Haftar then threatens to imprison him. But the large tribe of Aguila Saleh warns the marshal against any attempt at intimidation. This affair resonates with a part of the population of eastern Libya, opposed to their children being recruited into this war in Tripoli.

Khalifa Haftar, known for having crushed all the senior officers who opposed his ideas, seems to bow this time before a civilian figure.

Tuesday 9 June, the Foreign Ministers of France, Italy and Germany as well as the High Representative of the European Union call in a joint declaration for the resumption of dialogue and the conclusion of a ceasefire fire in Libya, following "  constructive commitments made in Cairo  " according to the press release which urges "  all Libyan and international parties to put an immediate and effective end to all military operations and to engage constructively in negotiations in 5 + 5 format, based on the draft agreement of February 23. "

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• Libya
• Khalifa Haftar

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