Macron dispatches special envoy Paul Soler to coordinate Libya policy with Rome

摘要

Appointed without fanfare as "France's special envoy forLibya" in mid-March (Africa Intelligence, 24/03/21), PaulSoler is shortly due to travel to Rome to discuss theLibyan situation.Following the joint visit to Tripoli by Jean-Yves Le Drianand Luigi Di Maio on 25 March, Rome and Paris are nowkeen to speak with a united voice (Africa Intelligence,t26/03/2). The two countries share one main priority:containing Turkey's influence in the country as Ankaraangles for a raft of reconstruction contracts. During thevisit to Ankara of a delegation of fourteen Libyanministers led by Abdelhamid Dabaiba from 11 to 13 April,Turkey's Rönesans Holding signed memoranda of understanding for the construction of three powerplants, a passenger terminal at Tripoli internationalairport, and a shopping centre.