Libya's Grand Mufti calls for united front against Russian forces
The Grand Mufti of Libya, Sheikh Sadik al-Ghariani, urged all Libyans on Friday to unite against the Russians in their country. It is here that the Russians have fled following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.
Mufti al-Ghariani stressed in his weekly programme broadcast on Tanasuh television that Russians have increased their presence in Libya since the beginning of December, bringing in military equipment. He argued that they are not civilians but fighters who must be expelled from Libya.
General Khalifa Haftar and his sons welcomed the Russians in Libya, joining mercenaries from the Wagner Group already stationed in Benghazi and Tobruk.
- Libyans in the eastern, southern, and western regions of the country must oppose their presence, take up arms, and fight against them - said the mufti.
The day before, on Thursday, the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abd al-Hamid Dbeibah, also responded to the presence of Russians. He stated that he does not agree with the introduction of Russian military equipment into Libya and warned that his government will combat foreign troops. He also emphasised that "he will not accept Libya as an international battlefield".
Russian movements in Libya
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, Russia sent transport planes with air defence equipment to Libya. At the same time, the Russians are seeking permission to build a naval base in Tobruk near the Egyptian border. So far, General Haftar, who supports Putin, has not commented on this information.
Libya has been divided since 2011 into a western and eastern part, grappling with the presence of Russian mercenaries. The Government of National Unity operates from Tripoli, while Haftar informally controls Benghazi.
