The Coordination of Free Forces in Niger has denied the release of their leader, Mahmoud Salah, asserting he remains imprisoned in Libya. Previous reports of his release, linked to diplomatic discussions involving French President Macron, have been dismissed. Additionally, relations between Niger’s military and Haftar have grown stronger with renewed security agreements.
The Coordination of Free Forces in Niger, a rebel faction, has refuted claims regarding the release of Mahmoud Salah, the leader of the National Liberation Front. Salah was detained on February 23 in the Al-Gatroon region of southern Libya and is reportedly still in custody under the supervision of Khalifa Haftar’s forces in Benghazi, as indicated by a statement from the Senegalese outlet Sud Quotidien.
Italian news agency Nova had previously alleged that Salah was freed, citing anonymous Libyan sources. Furthermore, it was reported that during his meeting with Khalifa Haftar at the Élysée Palace on February 26, French President Emmanuel Macron advised against handing Salah over to the military council in Niamey, deemed illegitimate by the international community following the July 26, 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Recent months have witnessed a strengthening of ties between Niger’s military leadership and Khalifa Haftar. This trend was highlighted by the visit of Nigerien Interior Minister Mohamed Boubacar Toumba to Benghazi last August, which resulted in the reactivation of previous bilateral security accords. Additionally, Haftar dispatched his son, Saddam, as a special envoy to General Abdourahmane Tchiani, Niger’s transitional president, in September. Concurrently, Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Mohamed Al-Haddad, also traveled to Niamey to enhance cooperative measures against armed groups operating along their borders.
In summary, the rebel group Coordination of Free Forces in Niger has denied allegations of Mahmoud Salah’s release, affirming that he remains in custody in Benghazi. Reports of his potential release were contradicted by French diplomatic interventions. Strengthening relations between Niger’s authorities and Haftar are evident through various diplomatic exchanges aimed at enhancing security cooperation.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
