Libya: showdown between Russia and Turkey

Text by: Houda Ibrahim Follow

Russia and Turkey - which play a leading role in a ceasefire in Libya - do not seem to agree on the terms of a lasting truce. On Sunday June 14, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, and his Defense counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, were expected in Istanbul; but this tour was canceled at the last minute. No reason has been given, but according to Turkish media reports of disagreements have been reported between the two countries supporting opposing camps in Libya.

Publicity

"  Our disputes do not concern the fundamentals,  " said the Turkish Foreign Ministry after the cancellation of the planned visit to Ankara of two Russian ministers: Sergei Lavrov of Foreign Affairs and Sergueï Choïgou of Defense. Russia and Turkey support two opposing camps in Libya and Ankara considers that it has made more progress on the ground than Moscow, which gives it the right to impose its conditions on the partition agreement which will lead to a ceasefire in Libya.

Refusal of the Russian proposal

Ankara therefore refuses the Russian proposal and requests a return to the situation before 2015. That is to say, the withdrawal of the Libyan national army led by Khalifa Haftar to Benghazi which Moscow completely refuses. The Kremlin wants to impose a route for a ceasefire respecting its red lines: Sirte, Al Joufra and the oil crescent.

Since June 13, a joint committee has been trying to move forward on a Turkish-Russian agreement but without success. Turkey downplays the differences and only mentions "  technical difficulties  " for a cease-fire. In the absence of an agreement between Ankara and Moscow, fighting is likely to resume. Turkey aims to achieve new victories to reach the negotiating table in a position of strength. It continues to send mercenaries and weapons to the GNA which has gathered all its forces around Sirte.

Decisive developments on the ground

Developments on the ground will be crucial to address the next step,
if the Turkish-Russian intervention in Libya has restricted American predominance and has seriously hindered the Europeans, many observers suggest a rapprochement between France and Russia, equivalent to that operated between Americans and the Turks. Witness the virulent tone of the last French press release towards Ankara and its " unacceptable  " ambitions  in Libya, according to Paris.

Read also: Algeria's diplomatic offensive on the Libyan dossier

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Libya

On the same subject

Libyan quagmire continues in Sirte, despite initiatives and demand for truce

Fighting continues in Sirte in Libya