On 2 December, Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar received the Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunusbek Yevkurov in Benghazi (on his third visit this year). The LNA General Command said the two discussed ways for mutual cooperation between Libya and Russia. The US State Department reportedly cautioned Haftar against his attempts to align himself with Putin, who according to the US, is seeking to establish a Russian military corps in Africa – citing Yevkurov’s visit as evidence of this.The State Department labelled Wagner mercenaries as a harmful element in Libya, causing public security risks, disrespecting human rights, and looting the countries in which they operate.
