Nigerien Rebel Movement Denies Reports of Salah’s Release from Libya

The Coordination of Free Forces in Niger denied reports of Mahmoud Salah’s release, stating he remains imprisoned by Haftar’s forces in Benghazi. An Italian news agency had claimed he was released following a request from French President Macron. Relations between Niger’s military and Haftar have strengthened, marked by high-level visits and security agreements.

The Coordination of Free Forces in Niger, a rebel group, has refuted claims regarding the release of Mahmoud Salah, leader of the National Liberation Front. Reportedly arrested on February 23 in Al-Gatroon, southern Libya, the rebel group asserts that Salah is still detained under the supervision of Haftar’s forces in Benghazi, as stated by Senegalese outlet Sud Quotidien.

Prior to the rebel group’s statement, the Italian news agency Nova had alleged, based on anonymous Libyan intelligence, that Khalifa Haftar had indeed released Salah. Nova also indicated that during a meeting in Paris on February 26, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Haftar not to hand Salah over to the military council in Niamey, deemed illegitimate following the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023.

In recent months, relationships between Niger’s military leadership and Haftar have strengthened. This was underscored by Nigerien Interior Minister Mohamed Boubacar Toumba’s visit to Benghazi last August, which resulted in the reactivation of bilateral security agreements. Additionally, Haftar’s son, Saddam, was dispatched in September as a special envoy to Niger’s transitional President, General Abdourahmane Tchiani.

Conversely, Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Mohamed Al-Haddad, also visited Niamey, reaching agreements with Nigerien authorities to bolster joint efforts in combatting armed groups along their mutual borders. Such developments illustrate a deepening collaboration between Niger and Libya.

In summary, the Coordination of Free Forces in Niger has denied the release of Mahmoud Salah, still held by Haftar’s forces. This denial comes amid reports of strengthened ties between Niger’s military and Libyan leadership, highlighting ongoing cooperation in regional security matters. This dynamics indicates evolving relationships in the Sahel region post-coup in Niger and related implications for Libyan politics.

Original Source: libyaobserver.ly