British Intelligence is aiming at strenghtening its presence in Libya by lobbying its “local partner” the Cairo based media network Al Wasat and therefore influencing the political and military course of action whiledisrupting the Russian presence in the east of the country.According to Maghreb Confidential and sources in Brussels, British Intelligence - as well as other EU intelligence agencies - is “worried about Haftar's allies, led by Russia and the United Arab Emirates that are showing their support for him increasingly open”.
"British Intelligence seeks influence over Libya to disrupt Russian presence"
British Intelligence asked for the support of Egyptian Intelligence to avoid leaving the task of finding a solution to the Libyan question solely in the hands of Vladimir Putin.
Intelligence Online reports that during a secret visit to London last week the Egyptian army chief of staff Mahmood Hijazi, accompanied by his intelligence officials, obtained a promise from Michael Fallon, Britain's defence minister, that Britain would increase intelligence cooperation with Egypt. From its base in Cyprus. GCHQ, the British signal intelligence, is expected to transmit more data from Sinai to the Egyptian government to monitor and control political opposition.
On the other side Egyptian officials welcomed the visit of British Ambassador to Libya Peter Millett and British intelligence representatives last 8 February to Al-Wasat network headquarters in Cairo and discussed the Libyan crisis with its media officials and Libyan youths working in Al-Wasat's newspaper, website, and Radio. The ambassador was also briefed on Al-Wasat organization and the aspects of its journalistic work.
"British Intelligence offered to fund Al Wasat"
At the end of the meeting British intelligence officials offered funds to Al Wasat in an attempt to overtly exert influence over Libya's political and economic spheres, working on disrupting the Russian presence and emerging role in the country.
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