This site uses cookies. 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. The LNA has denied shelling residential areas. Agence France-Presse . France rejects Libya's 'unfounded' claim it supports militia leader Khalifa Haftar. Because "the defeated has no ally," France abandoned Haftar, as did Sudan and Greece, as Italy did before them. France, however, denied the allegation and said it supported the Libyan government in Tripoli. 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. "We say to the United Nations and the Security Council: listen. France called on Monday for talks among NATO allies on what it said was Turkey’s increasingly “aggressive” role in Libya. France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines. Sarraj unveils 'initiative' to end Libyan 'crisis'. This is one of the motives behind France and Italy’s tensionson the Libyan issue. Libya asks France to explain how its arms reached Haftar forces. The GNA on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for Haftar for allegedly ordering deadly air strikes against civilian areas. Show people, places and other topics in this story. Rockets are coming down on us. Libyan Defense Minister Salah Eddine Namroush has described France's support to eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar as "shame". Libya has halted its security cooperation with France after accusing Paris of supporting military strongman Khalifa Haftar. From Morocco to Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and beyond, a wide area of French influence is tentatively emerging in Africa and the Middle East. Toll for armed conflict in #Tripoli is 205 dead and 913 wounded. For one, it has violated the UN arms embargo on several occasions. 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. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. ... Read: 'France is complicit in Libya's mass graves crime,' says Turkish official. Paris does not want to isolate itself from the man helping it to gain influence in Libya. While the Italians are focusing their efforts on the GNA and confining their relations with Haftar to mere protocol visits, France seems to have a far closer and … 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 … Libya's internationally recognised government accused France Thursday of supporting rebel commander Khalifa Haftar and said it would halt cooperation with Paris. A January offensive by his LNA forced militants opposed to Chad’s President Idriss Deby out of southern Libya. "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. 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. 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. Strong evidence exists, however, of its active involvement in the Libyan conflict - it dates back as far as 2015. GNA Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj in April accused the Macron administration of backing a "dictator.". But it is, in fact, Haftar, who is attacking the same government, to whom the favours of France go. 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France has always denied arming Gen Haftar's forces, but has offered diplomatic support. 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. 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 … Follow us on Instagram. LONDON . 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.. Haftar has ignored international calls for a halt to his advance on Tripoli, launched while UN Secretary-General. - 'A big shock' - France has long had contact with Haftar, who was invited to Paris alongside Sarraj in 2017, in what was seen as an … France has come to realize that warlord Khalifa Haftar in Libya is a “liability,” according to the Financial Times on Monday. France has thus far feigned ignorance over supplying weapons and offering logistical support to Haftar's forces. Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning, Take international news everywhere with you! Paris does not want to isolate itself from the man helping it to gain influence in Libya. "It is shame on the government of France and [President Emmanuel] Macron to receive one like Haftar for years," Namroush said in an interview with France 24 television. “There is a Libyan crisis … Audience ratings certified by ACPM/OJD. 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. (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 … Within this regional framework, a Libya ruled by Haftar, or someone with a similar ideology, appears to be a logical, almost self-evident objective to pursue. 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. LONDON. It is on this basis that the nature of France’s relationship with Haftar is most relevant. The French government has acknowledged providing intelligence to Haftar, whom it considers an important ally in the fight against terrorism. France’s support for Libya’s Haftar is finally coming home to roost. The head of the Libyan National Army (ANL) was again received by Emmanuel Macron on 9 March — for the fourth time in three years. I support everything that strengthens the security of French people and the countries that are friends of France. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. It is on this basis that the nature of France’s relationship with Haftar is most relevant. 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France wants Haftar to rule Libya. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. Al-Namroush spoke to France 24 and described in an interview Haftar as a ‘war criminal’, … 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. 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 … STIRRING THE POT Paris insists that it is committed to upholding the UN-backed Libyan political agreement while recommending that it be amended to … Libya’s eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar has told France’s president he will sign a ceasefire and stick to it if militias backed by the internationally recognized government respect it, Reuters reported, citing a French presidency official. 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. Haftar’s Benghazi-based LNA has become bogged down in the southern suburbs of the capital. 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. 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. France concedes Haftar in Libya is a 'liability' Turkey turned the tide of Libyan conflict against warlord Khalifa Haftar, whose only European ally was France 06.07.2020 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. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, of the anti-immigrant League party, accused France of cooperating with Haftar. 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. Along the way, Paris ended up antagonising its NATO partner, Italy. Will Iraq and Turkey develop a security cooperation against the PKK? With the support of mercenaries, Haftar attacked the south of Libya at a time when the Tripoli government respected the ceasefire agreement, he added. Al Namroush said Haftar should be sent to jail for committing 'war crimes' and that his involvement in mass slaughter had become evident after the discovery of mass graves in Tarhouna, a province that was controlled by one of the militias loyal to Haftar. Why is there war in Libya? A summit in Berlin on 19 January, attended by the United Nations and world powers, including Russia, Turkey, France and the UK, have so far failed to bear concrete results. 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. ... "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. A picture is worth a thousand words. EPA. The French government has acknowledged providing intelligence to Haftar, whom it considers an important ally in the fight against terrorism. 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. The tide is turning in favour of the coalition in power in Tripoli. 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. He reportedly convinced President Emmanual Macron that Libya was a "low-hanging fruit" and Haftar was the man to place all the bets on. En soutenant le GNA, l’émirat gazier … 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. Contradicting the UN's position on the Libyan conflict, which was to assist Sarraj's government and involve other rival forces for a peaceful transition of power, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian previously expressed support for the Egyptian air strikes against the GNA.