Intel: Why Russia's defense minister met with Libyan strongman Hifter

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu hosted Khalifa Hifter, the commander of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), in Moscow Feb. 19.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu gestures during a news conference after bilateral talks between Italy and Russia at Villa Madama in Rome, Italy February 18, 2020. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane - RC213F9KYX8L
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu gestures during a news conference after bilateral talks between Italy and Russia at Villa Madama in Rome, Italy, Feb. 18, 2020. - REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
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Maxim A. Suchkov
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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu hosted Khalifa Hifter, the commander of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), in Moscow Feb. 19.

"During the meeting, security issues in the Middle East and North Africa as well as the fight against international terrorism and settlement of the crisis in Libya were discussed,” the Russian Defense Ministry stated. “The important role of negotiations held on Jan. 13, 2020, in Moscow in establishing the cease-fire and launching the normalization process in the country was noted.”

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