Libya: Pro-Haftar Hopefuls Receiving UAE’s Financial Support

Emirati authorities have been funding Libyan potential candidates, known as close to eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar, in December 10 presidential and parliamentarian elections.

Libyan top political protagonists among whom Haftar, Chief of the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA), and head of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) Faiez Serraj last week in Paris pledged to hold the country’s first elections since 2014 and to abide by the results.

United Arab Emirates has reportedly held secret meetings in Egypt, Tunisia and Oman to prepare the December elections, backing elections hopefuls, supportive of the east-based army commander. Haftar himself will not run for the elections.

The alleged candidates receiving the Emirati sponsorship include former Libyan Ambassador to the UAE Aref Al-Nayed, Libyan Ambassador to France Al-Shibani Abuhamoud, and the envoy of the House of Representatives to National Oil Corporation in Libya Edris Al-Maghrabi, Middle East Monitor (MEE) reports.

The UAE has been one of Haftar’s iconic foreign backers. The Libyan self-style commander also receives support from Russia, France and Egypt.