More than 7,000 Russian mercenaries are still entrenched in Libya

TRIPOLI – More than 7,000 mercenaries Wagner Russia still operating in Libya , according to the head of the High Council of State, Khalid al-Mishri on Sunday (12/12/2021). In a statement on the Clubhouse audio chat app, al-Mishri said Wagner’s mercenaries were armed with various types of weapons, including warplanes.

“They have 30 fighter jets at the Algourbabia military base (in Sirte) and at the al-Jufra base,” al-Mishri said. “Russia was looking for a foothold in North Africa and they found it in Libya,” he continued, as quoted by Anadolu Agency.

Read: Disqualification Canceled, Son of Gaddafi Becomes Libyan Presidential Candidate Again

Active in Libya since 2019, Wagner’s mercenaries are a major supporter of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar. The mercenaries were also involved in the unrest in the country.

Currently, Libya is preparing to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24 under a UN-sponsored deal reached by Libya’s political rivals during a meeting in Tunisia last year.

Libyans hope that the upcoming elections will contribute to ending the armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years. One of the candidates running for the presidency is Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Read: Expanding Influence, Turkey Will Build Logistics Base in Libya

He was reaffirmed as a presidential candidate (candidate) in the country’s elections. He became a presidential candidate again after the Sebha court overturned the election commission’s disqualification decision. Saif’s lawyer, Khaled al-Zaydi, confirmed that his client’s appeal had been accepted and called the court’s decision “a victory for justice and the will of the people”.

A smiling photo of presidential candidate Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has been posted on his campaign page on Twitter, along with words of thanksgiving to God. Videos showing Saif’s supporters have also surfaced on social media. “Liberals celebrate the return of Dr Saif Al-Islam to elections,” reads the text attached to the video.

(esn)

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