Arabs Flex Muscles and Talk as Erdogan Ups Ante in Libya’s War

  • Egypt, U.A.E. aiding push on Tripoli to help at peace table
  • Haftar shows little patience with diplomacy to end fighting
Smoke rises following an attack on port in Tripoli, on Feb. 18.Photographer: Aydogan Kalabalik/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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The black smoke billowing from Tripoli’s port as rival Libyan officials sat down for peace talks carried an unmistakable message to far-off Cairo and Abu Dhabi.

Shelling the facility was eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar’s way of making clear he wouldn’t let diplomacy in Europe halt his efforts to prevent Libya’s internationally recognized government securing military assistance from its new Turkish ally.