Daily Times

Khalifa Haftar is the man that the EU likes to deal with in Libya. For when it comes to the 28-member bloc, most see not a renegade general or warlord but, rather, a man who can get things done. Thus they are prepared to weather the occasional storm. Such as his giving the go-ahead last month to his forces in the east to seize control of four oil ports.

This essentially cut off the country’s life support in the so-called oil crescent; an area stretching along the Mediterranean coast between the cities of Sirte and Benghazi to the east. This is home to 80 percent of Libya’s estimated 45 million barrels in oil reserves. Thus the international community breathed a collective sigh of relief when Gen Hafta last week handed over the oil terminals to the internationally-recognised National Oil Corporation (NOC). The good general is wont to declare that he did so because he is committed to putting the country first. Yet not everyone is convinced.

Many pundits believe that the man who helped bring Col Gaddafi to power back in 1969 had no other option than to surrender to global pressure. Primarily from the EU, which has long been cosying up to him. But also from regional backers, such as the UAE and Egypt. Yet his supporters are keen to point out how the move offered Gen Hafta a face-saving measure of sorts. For the entire exercise consolidated his image in the international community’s eyes as the man who controls Libya’s vast energy resources. Thereby affording him the opportunity to present himself as the only viable option when it comes to the mammoth task of uniting the country; currently in the midst of a second civil war in the post-Gaddafi aftermath.

None of this resonates with the majority of ordinary Libyans. For while Gen Hafta has enjoyed some success in the push-back against ISIS, when he returned to Libya back in 2011, after a period of prolonged exile, he did so as part of the US- and NATO-backed anti-Gaddafi uprisings. Indeed, for much of the citizenry, Gen Hafta is a man who easily switches sides. After having been promoted through army ranks by Col Gaddafi, he eventually defected. Not only that, he proceeded to establish — with CIA backing, no less — the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (LFD), with a mission to overthrow his former master. Then there is not the un-small matter of his refusal to recognise the UN-brokered national unity government.

Thus for many Libyans, Gen Hafta represents a continuation of the tyranny they have suffered for more than 40 years. To the latter, therefore, it appears that world powers have backed the wrong horse. All the while underscoring how the struggle for the country’s future is not one between secular and extremist forces but hinges on control of natural resources. This is something with which the international community is more than familiar. And it had led to it failing to back the Libyan state in favour of free-flowing oil. Naturally, it is the people who will pay the price. Quite literally.  *

Published in Daily Times, July 17^th 2018.