2024-05-03 18:39:08
A recent report by Newsweek magazine accused Russia of supporting Khalifa Haftar’s forces in printing the 50-dinar bill in large quantities, suggesting that this money is later converted into dollars on the black market to finance Wagner’s operations in Africa.
A report by “Newsweek” magazine – an American weekly magazine founded in 1933 – revealed the involvement of Wagner’s mercenaries in Libyan fuel smuggling operations, which generate huge profits for Moscow and enhance its influence in the country, according to the magazine.
The magazine pointed out that Libya’s import of large quantities of Russian fuel through intermediaries raises questions about the role of the National Oil Corporation in these “suspicious deals,” noting that the corporation failed to increase oil production or improve the sector’s infrastructure “despite receiving a huge budget.”
The report explained that “the Libyan National Oil Corporation spent $17 billion last year on importing fuel, while its spending in 2021 was only $5 billion,” pointing out at the same time that the availability of fuel in the local market does not reflect the volume of spending.
The report also raised doubts about the involvement of international energy companies in corrupt practices in Libya, noting that the Libyan Attorney General stopped a major deal between the National Oil Corporation and a consortium due to suspicions of corruption.
on the other hand; Newsweek magazine confirmed that the Kremlin has made plans to establish a Russian naval base in Tobruk, adding that a Russian ship unloaded a shipment estimated at 6,000 tons of military equipment in the port of Tobruk on April 8.
Newsweek called on the Biden administration to adopt a new approach that focuses on combating corruption in the Libyan oil sector and drying up the sources of funding for Russia’s operations in the country, stressing that combating corruption is a crucial step to achieve stability in Libya and revive the democratic transition process.
Source: Newsweek magazine
2024-05-03 18:39:08