Khalifa Haftar met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss political developments in Libya. They emphasized the importance of supporting the UN mission and exploring bilateral cooperation. This visit is notable as it follows years of tense relations after Haftar’s failed offensive on Tripoli. Additionally, Haftar recently engaged with Belarusian President Lukashenko to discuss cooperation.
On Wednesday evening, Khalifa Haftar met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. While the French presidency did not disclose specific details of the meeting, Haftar’s media office reported that they had an extensive discussion regarding the political developments in Libya. The meeting also included exchanges on supporting the United Nations mission’s efforts and assessing regional developments, aiming to strengthen cooperation between France and Libya for mutual benefit.
This visit marked Haftar’s first trip to Paris in years, following a prolonged period of strained relations after France had previously offered military and political support to him. Relations soured after Haftar’s forces suffered a setback during their offensive on Tripoli between 2019 and 2020. Prior to this, Haftar had been in Belarus for three days, where he conferred with President Alexander Lukashenko on potential cooperation, receiving assurances of timely implementation of agreements made.
In summary, Khalifa Haftar’s meeting with President Macron in Paris underscores a significant shift in Franco-Libyan relations. They discussed crucial political processes in Libya, regional developments, and cooperative efforts, marking a return to dialogue after years of tension. Also noteworthy is Haftar’s recent engagement with Belarus, indicating a broader strategy in international relations.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
