In a recent interview with Al Ain News, Libyan security expert Abdullah Al-Tawati stated that the Italian government’s decision to hold talks with General Khalifa Haftar, the leader of the Libyan National Army, is a wise move. According to Al-Tawati, Italy’s primary concern is to control the illegal migration flow from Libya, which is the largest gateway to Africa for Europe, especially Italy, due to its proximity to the Libyan coast.
Al-Tawati believes that Italy’s approach to General Haftar is appropriate, as he is the most powerful man in Libya and leads a real regular army that can control migration if given support. The current UN arms embargo on the Libyan army since 2011 has limited its capabilities to control migration.
The Libyan expert explained that Italy’s move to engage in dialogue with General Haftar was necessary due to fears of an influx of more migrants to Italy, especially from Sudan, where a civil war is ongoing. The only way to control migration from Sudan is through the triangular border area between Libya, Sudan, and Chad, which is under the control of the Libyan army.
Al-Tawati concluded by saying that the vast desert area of the triangular border is impossible for the Libyan army to control without Rome’s support. Therefore, Italy’s only way to control the illegal migration crisis is through supporting the Libyan army, which is the only way to control the crisis.