Foreign intervention in the Libyan civil war could harm vital Israeli interests, the Intelligence Ministry has determined in a new situational assessment obtained by Israel Hayom.
For the past year and a half, Libya has been divided between two governments. The "Government of National Accord" is based in Tripoli, controls the west of the country, and has adopted a pro-Islamist line. It is recognized officially by the United Nations and receives aid from Turkey and Qatar.
On the other hand, the forces under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar control the country's east and are backed by Russia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and France. In recent months, foreign intervention has intensified. Turkey is seizing control of Libya's territorial waters, and Haftar's bloc has also stepped up its efforts.
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"The increasing foreign intervention and the results of the conflict pose threats to Israel's national interests," the Intelligence Services Ministry said in its assessment of the situation in the war-torn country.
According to the authors of the ministry's report, the main project in jeopardy due to Turkish control of Libyan waters is the natural gas pipeline set to link the Eastern Mediterranean Basin with Europe. The massive project is being spearheaded by Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz together with his counterparts in Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece.
"Israel has no interest or desire to clash with Turkey or to stand on the front line against it -- in Libya or other arenas," the report said.
With that, the authors also posited that cooperation between the various other foreign players in Libya could positively impact Israel's interests.
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