Diplomats are not publicly discussing the possibility that Russia will push the commander of the armed forces in the east of Libya, Khalifa Haftar, to inaugurate the head of the Libyan government-designated by the House of Representatives Fathi Bashagha in Tripoli by force, as some believe he could use his control of oil export terminals as a weapon, by ceasing shipments at a sensitive time for European energy markets.

« Such control of oil fields would certainly use Russia’s interests because it would raise oil prices much more, » said Wolfram Lacher, an analyst on Libya affairs at the SWP Research Institute.

Adapted from France Press Agency