Bernard-Henry Levy’s provocative trip to Libya
Bernard-Henri Levy, the political philosopher who actively participated in the destruction of Libya in 2011, arrived in Misrata this week. The official purpose of the visit was reporting about mass graves in Tarkhuna left by Haftar’s forces, a story which is supposed to be published in the Wall Street Journal.
#Tarhuna. Just after my reportage on the killing fields. These are the true Libyan police who protect free press. So different from the thugs who tried to block my convoy on my way back to #Misrata. The full reportage will be published soon. pic.twitter.com/JYW1Aa5Y2V
— Bernard-Henri Lévy (@BHL) July 25, 2020
The visit had created a wide negative reaction from the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) officials: the Chairman of the High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri launched the investigation of the circumstances of Levy’s invitation to Libya. Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj declared that he was not informed about the visit. In Tarkhuna, the pro-Israeli activist was met with the negative reaction and some soldiers attempted to block his visit.
According to certain French sources, Levy was planning to meet Fathi Bashaga, but the information is still not confirmed and after the official GNA’s reaction to the arrival of Levy the meeting will not be possible.
The visit of Levy to Libya and the goal of reporting on ‘Haftar’s crimes in Tarkhun’ doesn’t correspond to the classic line of French support for Haftar and shows the existence of different positions towards Libya in France itself. The classical line of French foreign policy towards Libya led by Le Drian sympathizes more with Haftar, who is an old ally of Paris. At the same time, the French position can be also described as anti-Turkish: Macron is creating the escalation between France and Turkey, regularly declaring that Turkey is violating the sovereignty of Greece and Southern Cyprus in the Mediterranean. The most recent declaration followed Ankara’s announcement of the plans to start exploring the oil shelf in Greek territorial waters. The conflict brings to NATO the serious split and shows that the block can’t work in the unified agenda.
The Libyan #Françafrique
🇫🇷#France while officially recognizing the legitimacy of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (#GNA) in Tripoli, support #Haftar.https://t.co/R1pFhLH7kM #Africa #Libya #Sarraj #LNA #EU #Macron #LeDrian #Turkey #Russia
— United World International (@uwidata) July 9, 2020
The fact that Levy was not invited according to official declarations of GNA and LNA by both sides on conflict shows that he is persona non-grata in Libya. This also shows that Libya is moving away from the globalist’s schemes and has become a platform for new geopolitical players. The important reorientation of the GNA happened due to the collaboration with Turkey, which pushed the GNA toward a realist, geopolitical, and antiglobalist agenda.
Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii: the first namaz in 86 years
On July 24, for the first time in 86 years, the first Friday namaz was held in the world-famous Hagia Sophia mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii) in Istanbul: hundreds of people took part, including the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Imam began his official prayer service after Erdogan read an excerpt from the Koran and a call to the namaz was made from the minarets. Thousands of believers gathered in front of the mosque in Sultanahmet Square.
İlk cuma namazı @AyasofyaCamii https://t.co/Aqr9ZQGn7V
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) July 24, 2020
Escalation in US-China relations: the war of embassies
China has announced the official closure of the US Consulate General in Chengdu. This was announced in a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. In accordance with the requirements of the Chinese side, the diplomatic mission ceased its work on Monday, July 27, at 10:00 local time. The US’ national flag was lowered from the flagpole at the consulate general, and all personnel left the building.
Earlier, on July 22, the US demanded that China close the Consulate General in Houston within 72 hours. This decision was explained by the need to protect American intellectual property.
On July 20, the US Department of Justice indicted two Chinese citizens for theft of trade secrets and fraud who, according to investigators, were trying to gain access to computer networks of American companies developing coronavirus vaccine.
Other pretexts for the growing tension between China and the United States were US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Beijing’s measures to limit the spread of coronavirus, the trade war between the two countries, and China’s suppression of the protests in Hong Kong.
However, the real reason is growing geopolitical feud between the two countries and the US risking to lose its hegemony in the peaceful and equal competition against China.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo compared China to the USSR in a speech he made in the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in California, saying that this similarity will help Washington win the confrontation with Beijing as an enemy of “Free World”.
Turkey-Niger military agreement
Turkey is continuing to develop its cooperation in Niger: a new military agreement signed between two countries can seriously transform the balance of power in the region. The new agreement can influence the Libyan conflict and give Turkey a possibility to build a military base in Niger, which will simplify their logistic problems.
On July 21, the Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu met with President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, and both sides discussed the effects of the unstable security situation in Libya on their countries. Some bilateral agreements were signed, including one dedicated to military cooperation – “Military Training Cooperation Agreement”.
“We would like to make a contribution to Niger’s development in the areas of transportation, construction, energy, mining and agriculture,” Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a press conference in Niger, the second stop on a West African tour.
President @RTErdogan spoke by phone with President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger.
The two presidents discussed regional issues, cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 and steps to enhance bilateral relations.
— Turkish Presidency (@trpresidency) July 25, 2020
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