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President Trump has consistently suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be a strong ally in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). But while most eyes are on Syria in this regard, Libya is another place to watch closely in the coming weeks.

Putin increasingly supports Libya's Gen. Khalifa Haftar, who controls Libya's oil-rich east but wants more. Haftar pursues an anti-Islamist agenda and looks to Putin to help secure his leadership in Libya at the expense of the U.N.-backed civilian government in Libya.

This is where Trump and Putin could make a deal.

Putin has been expanding Russia's influence in Libya, a Kremlin ally during the Cold War, for quite some time. Putin has attempted to revive ties since he first became president in 2000, but relations noticeably improved in April 2008 when Putin visisted Tripoli.

According to Russian press reports at the time, Moammar Gadhafi, at that time leader of Libya, expressed special admiration for Putin's efforts to restore Russia as a great power. Soon afterward, Moscow wrote off most of Libya's $4.6 billion debt in exchange for approximately $5 billion to $10 billion worth of contracts for railway, oil and gas projects; arms sales; and more. Gadhafi also gave the Russian fleet access to the port in Benghazi.

In 2011, then, Moscow strongly opposed the NATO-led Libya campaign and under then-President Dmitry Medvedev abstained from U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorized an intervention to protect civilians. Putin, who was prime minister at the time, compared the resolution to a "medieval crusade."

Putin believes that the West, chiefly the U.S., is behind all protests against authoritarian regimes, and that Washington's talk of democracy is just pretext for regime change. In this view, if the U.S. ousted Gadhafi, Russian leadership could be next unless Moscow took a more proactive approach.

Though officially Moscow says it supports the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, and therefore implicitly the goal of Libyan unity, in practice, Putin clearly favors Haftar in Tobruk.Haftar, notably, served under Gadhafi.

Moscowprovides the Tobruk government with military advice and diplomatic support at the U.N. In May 2016 Moscow printed nearly 4 billion Libyan dinars (approximately $2.8 billion) for Libya's Central Bank and transferred it to branch loyal to Haftar. Some also believe that Moscow continues to supply Tobruk with weapons via Algeria, despite the U.N. arms embargo.

In the context of growing tensions with Tripoli, Haftar made two trips to Moscow in the second half of 2016, and in January of this year, he touredtheRussian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetov as it returned to Russia from Syrian waters. While aboard the Kuznetsov, Haftar held a video call with Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, and reportedly talked about fighting terrorism in the Middle East.

Algeria and Egypt, meanwhile, support Putin's efforts in Libya. Algeria has long been in the pro-Kremlin camp. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, for his part, believes Haftar will prevent the Muslim Brotherhood from gaining a foothold in Libya and in general sees eye-to-eye with Putin when it comes to anti-terrorist measures.

In reality, Putin's support for Haftar is about restoring Russian influence in the country and gaining greater foothold into the region. One way he can do that is to cast himself as a peacemaker on his terms, not unlike what he's doing in Syria. He could then get credit for a Haftar-GNA deal, thus making the West look foolish for opposing Haftar, while presenting Russia as essential in major world decisions.

Taken as a whole, Putin's military moves from Ukraine to Syria are about creating and extending virtual buffer zones along Russia's periphery through anti-access denial bubbles. Officially, Moscow denies any talk with Haftar about creating military bases in Libya, but it's easy to see how such a base, or at least another form of Russian military presence, would be consitent with Moscow's actions in recent years.

Regardless, Putin's goal is to increase Russia's influence and reduce that of the West. In reality, Putin has neither the resources nor the desire to bring long-term stability to Libya, and Haftar is the wrong man for the job.

If anything, Vladimir Putin's support for Haftar would only bring more fighting in the long-run, but perhaps not before he creates a short-term fix that he could claim as another quick and easy victory with which he could distract the domestic audiencewhile securing a critical role in a strategically important country on the Mediterranean. His moves in Libya are important to watch in the coming weeks.

Anna Borshchevskaya is the Ira Weiner fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

The views of contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.

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After Syria, Putin's next move could be Libya - The Hill (blog)

World Former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad is no longer under consideration after the US objected to his appointment, showingthat divisions over Palestine still run deep at the world body.

The flags of UN observer states the Vatican and Palestine. Credit: UN Photo/Cia Pak.

United Nations: The failed appointment of former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad as the UNs peace envoy to Libya has shown that divisions over Palestine still run deep at the world body.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres pick as his special representative in Libya, was quickly vetoed by US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Friday February 10.

Haley said on Friday that the US was disappointed to see a letter indicating Fayyad would be appointed for the role.

By Monday, Fayyad was no longer under consideration.

In Dubai on Monday, Guterres described the turn of events as a loss for the Libyan peace process, describing Fayyad as the right person for the right job at the right moment.

Guterres also noted the importance of appointment given the ongoing instability in Libya.

Lets not forget that Libya is not only relevant in itself, Libya has been a factor of contamination to the peace and stability in a wide area, namely in Africa, in the Sahel and to bring an end to the conflict in Libya is in everybodys interest.

However few if any conflicts have remained on the UNs agenda as long as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Indications that the Palestinian question as it is referred to in UN Security Council meetings may become a source of tensionbetween the United Nationsand the Trump Republican administration began before Trump had taken office.

On December 22, the US under then President Barack Obama allowedSecurity Council Resolution 2334condemning Israeli settlementsto pass by abstaining the resolution was supported by the14 other Security Council members, including US allies such as New Zealand, the UK and France.

The resolution stated that Israels establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity.

In an apparent break from protocol for a President-elect, Donald Trump appeared to respond to the vote on December 23 with a Tweet stating: As to theUN,things will be differentafter January 20.

Haley later described the resolution as a terrible mistake, in her confirmation hearing for the role of US ambassador to the UN.

Following the vote Israel passed a law on February 6 retrospectively recognising Jewish settlements built on confiscated Palestinian land in the occupied territories.

Kofi Annan, chair of The Elders and former UN secretary-general, described the law as highly damaging to prospects for peace.

Prime Minister Netanyahu should show leadership to overturn this law, paying heed to the objections ofIsraels attorney general, broad segments ofIsraelisociety and members of his own Likud Party, said Annan.

The US has remained Israels closest ally both for strategic reasons as a partner in the Middle East and due to domestic support for Israel. This support comes in part from the USs Jewish population. While the current administration supports Israel, theirsupport for Judaism is less clear, after the White House failed to refer to Jews or Judaism in its statement issued on Holocaust RemembranceDay.

Meanwhile support for Israel also comes from groups such as Christians United for Israel who say on their website that they have over 3 million members. The groups website homepage also includes a pop-up campaign calling to defund the UN.

The US provides 22% of the UN budget, making it the largest single member state contributor.

There is yet to be any concrete indication from either Trump or Haley that the US intends to reduceUS funding to the UN other than through a leaked draft executive order published by some media outlets.

However some Republican lawmakers have been more open in their opposition to the UNs seeming sympathy towards Palestine, presenting a Bill, which has not yet passed, to withhold US funding to the UN until Resolution 2334 has been repealed.

Palestine has been a non-member observer state at the UN since 2012. In a symbolic gesture, the UN began flying the Palestinian flag in September 2015, alongside the Holy See Vatican which is also an observer state.

(IPS)

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US Vetoes UN Choice For Peace Envoy to Libya - The Wire

The High Council of Libyan Notables and Elders has expressed support for Libyan National Guard (LNG), which was recently formed, calling on Libyas revolutionaries to join the LNG to be under the legitimacy of one state and end the political fragmentation.

On Facebook, the council confirmed that the formation of the LNG is a step on the right path that will lead to Libyas stability throughcontaining the revolutionaries who partook in freeing Libya from the dictator Muamar Gaddafi and then pursued their devotion by fighting criminals, coup plotters and terrorists.

The leadership of the LNG must be trustworthy of the responsibility given to them by the revolutionaries. They should be working on uniting themselves and preserving the countrys unity and sovereignty. The council added.

It added that the LNG should establish the constants of the revolution especially the peaceful circulation of power and respect for legitimacy, exerting much effort to secure Libya from terrorism, return of dictatorship and coups.

We warn of the sedition and division mouthpieces who are endeavoring to derail any national initiatives. The council added, saying all Libyans should support the LNG by forwarding advice and consultations.

Brigadier General, Mahmoud Al-Zigal, (LNG) on last Thursday as per the General National Congresss decree (No.2 of 2015).

In a press conference in Tripoli, Chief of LNG, Brig. Mahmoud Al-Zigal said the LNG is not linked to any political party and would operate away from regional, tribal and political disputes, with the task of securing Libyas land borders and helping the country stabilize.

Excerpt from:
High Council of Libyan Notables and Elders expresses support for Libyan National Guard - The Libya Observer

The European Union is touting a plan it says will help Libya curb the number of migrants leaving its shores, but some advocates believe the plan does little more than trap African and Middle Eastern migrants in a war zone.

On February 3, the European Union announced it would give $212 million to help Libyas U.N.-backed government bolster its coast guard capabilities as well as offer training and equipment in order to block smuggling routes.

Preben Aamann, spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk, said the current migration situation is both tragic and untenable. He said last year 181,000 people set off from Libya en route to Italy and approximately 5,000 drowned in the central Mediterranean. Both of those figures were all-time highs.

It is deadly for those who try it, for many who try it, and it's not sustainable for Europe, Aamann said. So, our full determination is to close that route or at least very significantly reduce the number of irregular migrants using that route. In terms of resources that we are ready to put into it, its quite significant.

FILE - Migrants who'd attempted to flee to Europe wait in Libyan coast guard detention in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 16, 2016. The country's civil war has created openings for extremists, which Western governments hope to halt.

Aamann said the European Union has already trained about 90 Libyan coast guard members as part of its Operation Sophia, a joint naval operation meant to stop human smugglers. The new plan includes efforts to block smuggling routes.

Further training for coast guard forces is expected to take place in Europe and the European Union is prepared to spend more out of its Trust Fund for Africa if needed.

I believe that it will not be money that is the problem, it is all the other operational issues and also the situation in Libya of course that complicates this, he said, speaking to VOA from a summit in Malta. But the objective of reducing the number, saving lives is very clear and the determination is full.

MSF: Strategy leaves migrants in 'inhumane' camps

But some human rights groups disagree with the strategy, saying it is a plan that will only leave migrants in squalid Libyan detention centers.

In a string of tweets during the EU heads of state summit, Doctors Without Borders or Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) which has conducted a maritime rescue program, denounced the plan. The group tweeted: hypothetically, blocking people in Libya would prevent them from drowning. In reality, it would condemn them to slow death.

Giorgia Girometti, field communication manager for MSF in Italy, told VOA that MSF has sent people to visit detention centers in Tripoli and provide medical assistance. She called the conditions at the centers really undignified and inhumane.

There is lack of water and there is no space to sleep on the ground, and you have all type of skin disease and also breath disease [respiratory infections], she said.

Girometti has spent time on board MSF search and rescue vessels and heard stories of violence and sexual abuse against migrants in Libya.

For sure, blocking them in national Libyan waters by the Libyan coast guard and pushing them back on Libyan shores is really, really not a good solution, she said.

Is Tripoli an effective partner?

Another criticism of the EU program is that it is reliant on Libyas Government of National Accord based in Tripoli. This government, although backed by the United Nations, does not control much of the countrys coastline. It is opposed by a group of former Libyan parliamentarians based in the eastern city of Tobruk who are led militarily by General Khalifa Haftar.

Other rebel groups control areas of the country, among them IS, which until recently boasted control of some territory around the city of Sirte.

Sub-Saharan migrants crowd a rubber boat as they are rescued by members of Proactive Open Arms NGO, in the Mediterranean Sea, about 22 miles north of Zumarah, Libya, Jan. 27, 2017. Italy's coast guard, meanwhile, says it picked up about 1,000 migrants.

Aamann said, for this reason, the European Union is working with multiple aid agencies present in Libya, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the U.N. refugee agency.

So we dont only rely on the Libyan government who everybody knows is in a terribly difficult situation, but we also take a number of other steps," he said.

In December, the European Union launched a $21 million program to assist migrants stuck in Libya. The program, implemented by the IOM, aims to improve conditions in detention centers and assist with repatriating migrants to their home countries.

Additionally, the new deal aims to support local communities that are on migration routes and provide assistance to generate better socio-economic conditions.

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Opinions Differ on EU Deal with Libya to Curb Migration - Voice of America

Ross Kemp has visited Libya for his new documentary

Actor Ross Kemp has said the UK has a responsibility to help with the migrant crisis in Libya.

The soap star-turned-film maker visited the country for his latest documentary, which follows the journey migrants make through the Sahara desert as part of efforts to reach Europe.

In an article for the Radio Times, the former EastEnders star called on Europe and Britain to do more "given our role in the country's decline into chaos".

Kemp said his visit left him without much "hope," adding there was little NGO (non-governmental organisation) or aid presence.

"The country is divided with three competing governments and even they can't control the hundreds of armed militias that have sprung up since the end of Gaddafi's dictatorship," he said.

"In this chaos, migrants are not only lacking in any legal or practical protection but they also represent a huge source of income to unscrupulous smuggling gangs."

He describes the situation as a " kind of modern-day slave trade".

"Women are often trafficked into prostitution. The smugglers tell them they are going to Italy before selling them to brothel owners where they are subjected to indefinite rape and assault, with little chance of escape."

Kemp, who was filming for the Sky series Ross Kemp: Extreme World, added: " It seems nobody wants them. Not their own countries, Libya or Europe. European leaders, under pressure to reduce the number of people entering their countries as migrants, have signed a new deal with Libya, but far from helping people to escape, the EU deal is aimed at keeping them there.

"Can we really consider this an acceptable solution to such a horrific situation?"

:: This week's Radio Times is on sale today.

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UK has a responsibility to help migrant crisis in Libya says Ross Kemp - Irvine Times