Libya

Libya and France: A Revival of ‘Napoleonism’?

Youssef Tobi

France appears to be relying on force to patch up problems in Africa, and particularly in Libya. None of this is compatible with President Macron’s lofty foreign policy declarations.

"“The Libyan situation will have an impact on the extradition process,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “There are four big militias in the Tripoli area, and the SDF are one. They are a powerful outfit, they are armed, uniformed, and have a rank structure within them.There is the Government of National Accord, but the government does not control the militias. If you are trying for extradition you are not just dealing with the government - that will make it complex. What these militia seek are material resources and legitimacy and power.” "

One year on from the Manchester Arena bombing these are the questions that are still unanswered

"Justin Bronk, a research fellow and combat airpower specialist at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, said he believed the drone attack could encourage similar attacks - and not only by the US. "It would be interesting to see - as countries across the Middle East are acquiring long-range drones – whether there will be an increased use of them on Libya by these countries." "

ANALYSIS: US 'war on terror' thrusts deep into Libya with drone strike

" “It’s the first really serious round of diplomatic activity that Tillerson has been involved with,” he said. “They’re trying to achieve a more coordinated position on some of these issues.” "

United States backs UN efforts to resolve Libya crisis

""Violent extremists are content to wear different labels as 'flags of convenience' in pursuit of their aims," he said. "As we're also seeing in other territories like Syria, and the Yemen, the old divisions between AQ and groups like Daesh are mattering less and less." "

Isil 'regrouping in southern Libya with support of al-Qaeda and preparing for further attacks'

" “It increases the mythology around a character, a warrior able to sneak in and out and evade the world’s intelligence services,” he says. “And when you look at the narratives of people who go out to fight, we often see that those charismatic individuals are crucial.” "

Dead or alive? Why the world’s most-wanted terrorist has been killed at least three times