Łukašenka pledges “all possible support” to Libyan general

October 21, Pozirk. Belarus will “provide all possible assistance and support to the Libyan people,” Alaksandar Łukašenka has told General Saddam Haftar, deputy commander-in-chief of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), which controls eastern Lybia, at their meeting in Minsk.

The Belarusian ruler recalled his visit to Libya 25 years ago, stressing that at that time the parties had agreed “on many things and accomplished a great deal,” his press office reported, quoting him as saying. However, relations deteriorated due to “certain reasons,” he added, without specifying that these were linked to Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in 2011.

“I know that you are committed to bringing peace and stability to the Libyan people and uniting Libya into a single state. We are ready to work with you day and night to achieve this goal,” Łukašenka said, pledging to fulfill all existing and future agreements. 

In February, Łukašenka met with General Saddam Haftar and his father, Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Omar Haftar, the LNA commander.

A few weeks later, a Belarusian delegation visited eastern Libya to discuss expansion of bilateral ties, including in oil business.  

Libya’s political crisis has been ongoing since Gaddafi’s fall in 2011. Since March 2022, two different governments control the country, the Tripoli-based and internationally recognized led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Benghasi-based government led by Osama Hamada. The LNA, led by 81-year-old Haftar, controls eastern and parts of southern Lybia. There is also a rival civilian government in the east: the Government of National Stability (GNS), backed by the House of Representatives in Tobruk.

In 2019, Haftar launched a failed attack on Tripoli. Reports suggested that his troops were aided by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group.

Belarus’ PM vows to deepen economic, security ties with eastern Libya