The Battle for Libya: The UAE Calls the ShotsBy Dr. James M. Dorsey January 20, 2020 January 20, 2020Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Muhammad bin Zayed, photo via Office of the Presidet of RussiaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. UAE and Egyptian backing of Haftar is not just about countering jihadist and non-jihadist Islamists and Turkey but also Qatar, Turkey’s ally, which also supports the Libyan rebels. Stepping up its involvement in Libya puts Egypt at risk of becoming embroiled in two conflicts at the same time. The question is whether Haftar—who, without signing the ceasefire agreement, reportedly told German officials that he would adhere to its terms—and the UAE are willing to play ball. As a result, it may be the UAE rather than Haftar that has a decisive voice in Berlin.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 20, 2020 05:15 UTC