Rome Office of the European Council: The Haftar family has a strong interest in establishing relations with the Russians to ensure their survival

Arturo Varvelli, Director of the Rome Office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that Libya is gradually sliding into the Russian sphere of influence, which worries the Europeans and Americans, noting that the Russians boast very strong relations with the family of the American Khalifa Haftar, with the aim of passing it from father to children.

Varvelli added, in statements to the Italian “Nova” agency, that the family of the American Haftar has a strong interest in establishing relations with the Russians because this would ensure their survival during a transitional phase between generations.

He pointed out that officials in Tripoli are also trying to improve relations with Russia, and are eager to receive reassurances that Moscow does not decisively support the opposition faction, pointing out that the visit of a delegation from Tripoli to the Russian capital works to balance the influence of the American Haftar family.

He explained that the worrying aspect is the transformation of Wagner’s mercenaries into a more organized Russian presence linked to the army, while not underestimating Moscow’s diplomatic ability, concluding that the Russians have Deputy Defense Minister Yunusbek Yevkurov who speaks Arabic, and they have an ambassador in Tripoli with good relations and proficient in these fields.