The US accuses Russia of conspiring with Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar
Russia secretly supported Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in order to get a foothold in the region that is strategically important to Moscow, stated the Commander of United States Africa Command, Thomas Waldhauser, Interfax reports.
According to Waldhauser, Russians publicly supported the UN peace initiatives while at the same time secretly provided assistance to the Libyan National Army supplying them with resources and personnel.
“The success of Haftar will allow Russia to gain a foothold in the key regions along NATO southern borders and to resume old contracts established during the rule of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the areas of oil production and arms supplies,” he said.
According to earlier reports, hundreds of Russian mercenaries have been fighting alongside Haftar in Libya.