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2020-05-18 Africa North
Germany exports millions in arms to Libya war belligerents, despite embargo
[DW] Despite supporting an embargo, Germany has exported €330 million in weapons to countries involved in the war in Libya. The conflict has escalated since Khalifa Haftar
...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy, so it's kind of hard to describe him as a Qadaffy holdover. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all. Actually, he is, but slowly...
's forces seized Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
Embargo for thee, but not for me?
Since hosting a Libya summit four months ago, the German government has approved arms exports worth €331 million ($358 million) to countries accused of supporting warring parties in the country, according a report from the German Economy Ministry seen by news agency DPA.Between January 20 and May 3, Germany approved €308.2 million in arms destined for Egypt alone, the ministry said. The information was provided in response to a request from Germany’s leftist die Linke party.
Perhaps there is a deep, statesmanly motivation, like keeping the parties killing each other off at home so they’re too dead to attempt migrating across the Mediterranean...
The German government also approved €15.1 million in arms exports for The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...Qatar's satrapy in Asia Minor...
and €7.7 million for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), DPA reported.
Or possibly, having promised arms to Erdogan to close the “migrant” spigot, they promised the same to the other side to minimize the mischief Turkey could cause in this arena...
Turkey supports the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is backed by the UN, while Russia, Egypt, and the UAE support rival forces led by Khalifa Haftar.
Posted by Fred 2020-05-18 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ]  Top
 File under: Arab Spring 

#1 The German government also approved €15.1 million in arms exports for Turkey and €7.7 million for the United Arab Emirates (UAE),

So the Germans are supplying both sides. Nothing personal, it's just bidness.
Posted by SteveS 2020-05-18 12:07||   2020-05-18 12:07|| Front Page Top

#2 IIRC arming both sides is a German tradition though they learned their lesson in 1918 about getting them too close to home.
Posted by AlanC 2020-05-18 13:19||   2020-05-18 13:19|| Front Page Top

13:54 mossomo
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