A private Russian security firm said it sent agents to Eastern Libya to deliver arms to Khalifa Haftar confirming concerns in the West over a growing Russian influence in Libya, Reuters reported. Oleg Krinitsyn, owner of private Russian firm RSB-group said in an interview with Reuters that a force of several dozen Russian armed private security agents operated in territory controlled by forces Loyal to Khalifa Haftar until last month. He said the security contractors travelled to eastern Libya last year and they were pulled out in February having completed their mission. Russia has previously used private military contractors to strengthen its foothold in conflict areas. Russia, which has vehemently opposed NATO intervention that overthrew the decades-long Libyan dictator Gaddafi, sees new opportunities in the power vacuum in Libya where it tacitly endorses the all-powerful Khalifa Haftar.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 11, 2017 17:37 UTC