Wednesday, June 26, 2019

China and the Conflict in Libya

The Diplomat posted on 18 June 2018 an analysis titled "Where Does China Stand on the Libya Conflict?" by Samuel Ramani, University of Oxford.

China's official policy of nonalignment in Libya should not be equated with complete detachment from the conflict as Beijing has vested interests in ensuring the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has control over Tripoli. In order to subtly advance the GNA's position without jeopardizing its neutrality, China has actively supported a ceasefire in Libya. Although China is gradually seeking to expand its geopolitical influence in the Middle East and North Africa, Beijing's cautious handling of Khalifa Haftar's expansion of control in Libya reveals its unwillingness to engage directly in the resolution of protracted conflicts.