Foreign-relations balance in Al-Maraash’s reading
Libya – Libyan political analyst Kamel Al-Maraash said the balance eastern Libya has achieved in its international relations with countries around the world, especially the great powers that shape international decision-making, has been present since Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar began a move Al-Maraash described as aimed at saving Libya.
Libya’s interests and the relationship with Russia
Al-Maraash, in comments to Erem News, said this careful balance is governed by Libya’s higher interests with each foreign party and by how far cooperation with it is needed, noting that the Libyan National Army institution has historically maintained close ties with Russia because, in his account, the Libyan army’s armament during the Gaddafi era was entirely Russian.
He added that the relationship with Russia rested on understandings to supply the army with the weapons modernisation, spare parts and ammunition it needs, which he considered vital to its success in fighting terrorism and saving Libya.
European cooperation and balance with the great powers
He said relations with Europe have a political and financial character, and that the army commander responded in his dealings with European Union states, especially France, where he built what Al-Maraash described as distinguished ties with the Élysée Palace that continue to this day.
On the United States, Al-Maraash said Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar had succeeded in striking a balance with the great powers, pointing to what that could mean for Libya’s future place in the contest for influence on the world map.
Diplomatic tracks and a US initiative
He said Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s shrewdness and experience enabled him to open multiple paths of relations with other states by remaining open to them and not closing the door to cooperation, noting that he entrusted this sensitive task to his son, Lt Gen Saddam Haftar, whose performance in leading diplomacy Al-Maraash described as outstandingly successful.
Al-Maraash stressed that the paths led by Lt Gen Saddam Haftar had culminated in the US initiative launched by envoy Massad Boulos, which he said is achieving unprecedented steps in unlocking the Libyan crisis and is the most realistic and implementable.
