Rupert Wieloch

Ben Farmer in the Daily Telegraph reports the Defence Secretary’s tardy warning to Putin about Libya, but Russia stayed in Tripoli when the West withdrew.  This photograph shows the foreign military advisors with the Chief of the Armed Forces after the revolution, including the Russian and Ukraine contingents.  See Belfast to Benghazi page 279 for more missed opportunities.  www.amazon.co.uk/Belfast-Benghazi-Untold-Challenges-War/dp/1861515669

In a BBC interview this afternoon, Laura Maxwell asked me about the most intriguing North Atlantic Council meeting since 9/11.  The US Security relationship with Russia is the most antagonistic since the Cold War at the same time that the US President has the best relationship with the Russian President in living memory.  This irony has the potential to cloud decision-making at a time when the West needs clarity.  If NATO splits, there will only be one winner…

After attacking EU proposals to send migrants back to Libya, Martin Kobler is to be replaced as UN Special Representative of the Secretary General by US-educated, former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.  He will have his work cut out trying to implement a Libyan Political Agreement that is widely seen as broken and unimplementable.  More help needed…

For UN missed opportunities in Libya, see page 262 of Belfast to Benghazi: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Belfast-Benghazi-Untold-Challenges-War/dp/1861515669

Yesterday, we heard an ominous pronouncement from the Derna Mujahidine Shura Council against the head of the Government of National Accord, Faiez Serraj, and the commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Hafter.  The voice of devout Libyans must be represented in any peace talks and the Grand Mufti is the spiritual leader best placed to do this.  See pages 277-282 of Belfast to Benghazi for the security issues preventing demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of the Thuwaar in 2011:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belfast-Benghazi-Untold-Challenges-War/dp/1861515669

We are all thankful that there were no casualties in the Libyan hijack today.  This reminds us of the connection between the parlous security in the Sahara and the Mediterranean littoral.  For analaysis of the  Fezzan and its capital, Sebha, where Muammar Gadhafi stored his nuclear yellow cake and the British military team was attacked in 2012, see page 283 of Belfast to Benghazi.

Africa Command has concluded its operation in Sirte after the Government of National Accord announced the end of fighting against Islamic State in Sirte.  The Bunyan Marsous fighters have won a significant battle and made a huge sacrifice on behalf of all Libyans.  Now is the time to reconstruct the town and prevent the return of Daesh.  Read about Africa Command’s attempts to intervene in Libya in 2012 on page 278 of Belfast to Benghazi.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/belfast-to-benghazi/rupert-wieloch/9781861515667

 

We listened to a wonderful performance by the Chapel Choir in the Royal Hospital Chelsea.  It was good to meet so many people supporting Combat Stress, including the founder of WARpaint.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/belfast-to-benghazi/rupert-wieloch/9781861515667

 

 

We are now seeing the tragic consequences of the 2013 “non-intervention” vote with tens of thousands of people killed and millions of people forced from their homes.  What is required now is a post-conflict reconstruction operation on a similar scale to the Balkans, but where is the UN Mandate and the trained civilians, police and military to deploy promptly?  We are not even asking the right questions in the debate in Parliament today.

Yesterday, Tobruk airport was picketed by protesters against the visit by UN chief Martin Kobler.  This is a far cry from the welcome I received on a visit organised by the Chief of the Libyan Air Staff on Valentine’s Day in 2012, described on page 268 of Belfast to Benghazi.

Elsewhere, the Libyan National Army has  launched a major tank assault on the Ganfouda enclave in Benghazi. The assault, which began in torrential rain, has seen an unknown number of casualties.

It is not surprising that Libya’s outgoing UN ambassador, Ibrahim Dabbash, launched a bitter attack on the international community’ s interference in Libyan affairs.

Tobruk town council at the Knightsbridge Commonwealth War Cemetery 2012