As clashes between Libya's two rival power centres intensify and Bernardino Leon's mediation efforts look increasingly unlikely to succeed, concerns are growing among the international community that terror groups will take advantage of this chaos to strengthen their presence in Libya. This could have a devastating and destabilizing effect not only on the Sahel region but also on Europe. Read my contributions on this topic at Voice of America news, here and here.
Jason Pack, president of consultancy Libya-Analysis.Com, said Libya has become the major source of destabilization in the region.“Libya is a huge exporter of terror, arms and illegal migrants to Europe," Pack said. "It is a force for destabilization in the Sahel region in north Africa, in the southern Mediterranean and the Middle East.”Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are supporting the Tobruk government militarily and have carried out airstrikes on Islamist militant positions, Pack said.“This is an unwinnable conflict between the Tobruk government and the Tripoli government," he said. "Fueling in more arms on one side or another is going to drive to the country more towards chaos.”
For any Arabic speakers, see also this clip of myself and Mohammed Buisier on the 'Free Hour Show' discussing the postponement of UN-mediated dialogue between Tobruk and Tripoli in light of the worsening political and security division between the forces in this conflict.