“I remember a violent discussion regarding Libya with Vladimir Putin near the end of 2011. We had obtained — thanks to Russia’s vote — that the UN would impose a no-fly zone and that we would take no further actions. Then Gaddafi was killed. Putin accused us to have lied to him and show total disrespect for International Law. I cannot say that he was wrong.”

François Fillon

Former French Prime Minister (17 May 2007 – 16 May 2012) and  front-runner for the 2017 presidential election

Jean-Yves Le Drian — French Minister of Defence

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs under President François Hollande since 2012, has officially acknowledged the death of six DGSE officers during the last year. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

This news is no more than what French people call  a “secret de polichinelle”, that is an open secret that was let out of the box long ago. Indeed, on 26 October 2016, I wrote:

Last July (2016), three members of the DGSE were killed in a helicopter crash — near the city of Benghazi — in Libya.

RELATED POST: LIBYA: What is going on?

French Defence Ministry has now confirmed that three of the five men on board were officials from France’s external intelligence agency (DGSE).

RELATED POST: MALTA: 3 DGSE Officers Killed in the Crash

The names of the DGSE agents were – of course – not revealed. Furthermore, it s not entirely clear what mission the DGSE is pursuing in Libya. Possibly, they were involved in a mission to eliminate someone on the “French Kill List”.

The soldiers were killed while carrying out “dangerous intelligence operations”, Mr Hollande said.

Libya’s UN-backed government responded by saying that their presence was a “violation” of the nation’s sovereignty.

It said in a statement that it was “displeased with the French government’s announcement”.

French defence ministry spokesman Stephane Le Foll said French special forces were in Libya to “ensure that France is present everywhere in the fight against terrorism”. [BBC]

RELATED POST: Who Is Who in World Intelligence and Security Agencies : DGSE ORGANIZATION CHART

RELATED POST: Who Is Who in World Intelligence and Security Agencies : DGSE – Bernard BAJOLET

A Foolish Intervention

A recent UK parliamentary report has severely criticised the intervention by Britain and France that led to the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

“This report determines that UK policy in Libya before and since the intervention of March 2011 was founded on erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the country and the situation.

The UK’s actions in Libya were part of an ill-conceived intervention, the results of which are still playing out today.”

RELATED POST: Libyan intervention based on erroneous assumptions; David Cameron ultimately responsible

RELATED POST: Hillary’s Email Reveals Truth about Libya Bombing

The Rise of General Khalifa Haftar

General Haftar has refused to support the new United Nations Security Council endorsed Government of National Accord, which has led the United States and allies to believe he is jeopardizing the stability of Libya.

The United Arab Emirates and Egypt continue to support Haftar. ‘Middle East Eye’ has reported that British, French, U.S. and United Arab Emirates air forces have assisted Haftar’s forces, after analysing leaked air traffic control recordings.

In November 2016, Haftar made a trip to Russia to meet with the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Segei Shaigu. It was reported that while he was seeking weapons and Russia’s backing, Russia was holding off pending the new Trump Administration. [WIKIPEDIA]

On 26 December, it was reported that Russia had thrown its weight behind Haftar.

Amazingly, Haftar — a former CIA asset — could very well offer Moscow a new naval base in the Mediterranean sea.

REFERENCES

Jean-Yves Le Drian reconnait la mort de six « agents de renseignement » en 2016

François Fillon (mars 2015 )

« Il y a des limites à prétendre que nous sommes toujours respectueux du droit international, contrairement aux Russes, alors qu’en réalité, nous n’avons pas toujours été irréprochables.. Sur l’affaire libyenne, les Russes ont eu le sentiment d’avoir été trompés. Nous avions obtenu leur feu vert au Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies en s’engageant à ce qu’il n’y ait rien d’autre qu’une no-fly zone et ça s’est terminé par l’exécution de Kadhafi. »

« Je me souviens d’une discussion très violente avec Poutine, ajoutait-il dans le même entretien, fin 2011 : “Je ne vous croirai plus jamais, disait-il. Vous m’avez trompé une fois, c’est terminé. – C’est faux, on s’est contenté de bombarder les colonnes de chars… – Vous avez tué Kadhafi ! – Mais ce n’est pas nous qui avons tué Kadhafi !”

Bref, il m’a fait toute une démonstration : les avions français qui bloquent la colonne de Kadhafi, les forces spéciales sur le terrain… Même si ce n’est pas nous qui avons appuyé sur la gâchette, l’honnêteté m’oblige à dire que ses arguments n’étaient pas tous fallacieux. »

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France: Minister of Defence Acknowledges the Death of 6 DGSE Officers