ID :
208782
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 08:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/208782
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Margelov calls for establishing control over Sahel region
UNITED NATIONS (Itar-Tass) - Mikhail Margelov, the
Russian president's special envoy for cooperation with Africa, said on
Thursday that the Sahel region in the Sahara desert could become as
uncontrollable as Somalia after the recent events in Libya.
"It's time to exert extraordinary political efforts to exercise
control over Sahel," Margelov said.
He explained that there was practically no control over that region
and weapons and drugs could move freely across the border.
"This is an uncontrollable strip, and we will soon get a new overland
Somalia there but this time on a much larger area," Margelov emphasized.
The Sahel region includes Western Sahara, Mali, Algeria, Mauritania,
Burkina Faso, Libya, Chad, Sudan and Niger.
Speaking about the events in Libya, Margelov said he had no doubt that
Muammar Gaddafi was staying in Libya.
"It seems that he's going to fight up to the last ditch because he's
never taken any legal or illegal attempts to flee Libya," Margelov
emphasized.
"If he's made some suicidal decisions, then it means that the military
side of the conflict is still not over: Gaddafi and his men are fighting
like animals driven into a corner," Margelov added.
Margelov is attending the 66th session of the United Nations General
Assembly as a member of the Russian delegation.
Russia's special envoy for cooperation with Africa said that the
Libyan minister of energy and natural resources was expected to arrive in
Moscow in September. He expressed cautious optimism with regards to
Russian-Libyan cooperation.
"I don't see any political grounds for the Interim Transitional
National Council to strip Russian companies of their contracts," Margelov
stressed.
"We are going to have a detailed discussion on the future of Russian
contracts with the Libyans. We are waiting for a visit of the Libyan
minister of energy and natural resources to Moscow. The Russian Foreign
Ministry is trying to set dates for the visit. We've reached political
agreement. The visit will most likely take place this month," Margelov
explained.
Russian president's special envoy for cooperation with Africa, said on
Thursday that the Sahel region in the Sahara desert could become as
uncontrollable as Somalia after the recent events in Libya.
"It's time to exert extraordinary political efforts to exercise
control over Sahel," Margelov said.
He explained that there was practically no control over that region
and weapons and drugs could move freely across the border.
"This is an uncontrollable strip, and we will soon get a new overland
Somalia there but this time on a much larger area," Margelov emphasized.
The Sahel region includes Western Sahara, Mali, Algeria, Mauritania,
Burkina Faso, Libya, Chad, Sudan and Niger.
Speaking about the events in Libya, Margelov said he had no doubt that
Muammar Gaddafi was staying in Libya.
"It seems that he's going to fight up to the last ditch because he's
never taken any legal or illegal attempts to flee Libya," Margelov
emphasized.
"If he's made some suicidal decisions, then it means that the military
side of the conflict is still not over: Gaddafi and his men are fighting
like animals driven into a corner," Margelov added.
Margelov is attending the 66th session of the United Nations General
Assembly as a member of the Russian delegation.
Russia's special envoy for cooperation with Africa said that the
Libyan minister of energy and natural resources was expected to arrive in
Moscow in September. He expressed cautious optimism with regards to
Russian-Libyan cooperation.
"I don't see any political grounds for the Interim Transitional
National Council to strip Russian companies of their contracts," Margelov
stressed.
"We are going to have a detailed discussion on the future of Russian
contracts with the Libyans. We are waiting for a visit of the Libyan
minister of energy and natural resources to Moscow. The Russian Foreign
Ministry is trying to set dates for the visit. We've reached political
agreement. The visit will most likely take place this month," Margelov
explained.
