(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
New Armored Personal Carriers donated by the UAE to the Libyan National Army
Despite the establishment of the newly formed UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), the UAE on April 23rd sent an illegal shipment of several donated Armored Personal Carriers (APC) and military pick-up trucks to the the army formed by the eastern government and controlled by General Haftar known as the Libyan National Army (LNA).
While commander general Khalifa Haftar made no official statement about the donated military vehicles, the LNA publicly posted an image of what appears to be a large number of new Panthera T-6 light APCs and Toyota Land Cruiser pick-up trucks.
The UAE’s continued support of the eastern government and the LNA despite an international and local call for all political parties and armed groups in Libya to unify under the GNA, remains a major political obstacle facing Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s unity government as they wait for a vote of confidence from the House of Representatives (HOR).
The HOR has been reluctant to conduct a vote as is required by them in the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). Despite the EU’s asset freeze and travel ban on General Khalifa Haftar and the United Nations Security Council’s call on all United Nations Member States to end official contact with parallel institutions that claim legitimate, the UAE’s interference could only undermine Libya’s attempts at unification and national resolve.
The UAE has made similar donations to the LNA since Haftar took charge in 2012, reportedly donating several Typhoon 4×4 APCS in May 2015, which violate the UN arms embargo placed on Libya.
The UAE, along with Russia and Egypt, backs the Tobruk-based government and this interference in Libya’s affairs has unquestionably prolonged and intensified the country’s multitude of problems.