Selling oil across Libya

While Qin Rui was busy with his business, the fighting in Benghazi had reached a fever pitch.

Unlike the Numidian Brigade, which was united and cohesive, the forces in Benghazi were complex, deeply entrenched, and in a state of utter chaos.

To avoid the emergence of another colonel, the Transitional Council and the Provisional Government agreed that military personnel must not interfere in politics.

At the same time, it was decided to establish the National Army and bring all armed forces within Libya under its control.

Jalil and Majariaf followed suit, imitating Western countries, by appointing Ramadan Zawi, who had no military background, as the interim government's defense minister, attempting to use civilian officials to restrain Libya's various warlords.

Well, how should I put it?

The decision was made with good intentions.

But unfortunately, that's not realistic.

Not to mention the Numidian Brigade, which is still excluded from the provisional government.

Where does appointing a civilian as defense minister put Haftar?

Jalil and Magariaf probably believed that with the interim government already internationally recognized and the situation settled, a single official document would be enough to remove Haftar from power.

In this situation, Haftar had no choice but to put aside the threat from the Numidian Brigade and launch a counterattack.

On December 10, the Dawn Forces brazenly occupied Benghazi's television and radio stations, openly calling on Libyans to take action and overthrow the interim government that had betrayed Libya's interests.

The National Army occupied the parliament and, within an hour, forced the Legislative Council to pass the Political Segregation Law.

The Political Isolation Law explicitly stipulates that all former government officials who served in the previous Libyan government, as well as those with overseas exile backgrounds, are prohibited from holding positions in the new government.

Ramadan Zavi attempted to stop the National Army from occupying the parliament but was shot dead by them.

Ramadan Zawi's death plunged Libya into a deep abyss.

Seeing that things were not going well, Jalil issued a resignation statement through his personal media, and then left Benghazi by helicopter, making a hasty escape.

Magariaf was taken to a television station to make a public statement, resigning and handing over all powers of the interim government to the Libyan National Congress.

Ironically, when Magariaf issued his statement, the National Assembly had not even been established yet.

Qin Rui was not concerned with the power struggle in Benghazi.

The Numidian Brigade publicly opposed the coup attempt by the Dawn Forces and the National Army, issuing an immediate statement upholding the legitimate rights of the provisional government and refusing to recognize the National Congress.

The National Assembly then declared the Numidian Brigade a rebel force.

"How dare these people call us rebels?"

Qin Rui was surprised by the shamelessness of these people.

"What's so strange about that? Anyone who opposes them is a rebel!"

Yuri didn't care.

Whether they are rebels or not, Qin Rui doesn't really care, since all the military organizations, big and small, in Libya were once rebels.

However, Haftar's coup provided Qin Rui and the Numidian Brigade with an opportunity.

Due to his status as a member of the Numidian Brigade, Ding Jian was unable to sell weapons and equipment to the Numidian Brigade.

Although the National Congress claims to have taken over the Libyan government, it has not yet gained international recognition.

Internationally, especially at the United Nations, the only entity that can truly represent Libya is still the interim government.

Qin Rui immediately instructed Yuri to contact Jalil, who had already fled to Cairo.

Why contact him? He's already a dead end.

Yuri did not believe that Jalil still had any use.

"No, there is still residual value to be extracted from him."

Qin Rui wanted to squeeze every last drop of value out of Jalil.

As the head of the Transitional Council and the vice president of the interim government, Jalil could have easily succeeded President Majariaf as president, continuing to lead the interim government and exercise state power, given that President Majariaf was imprisoned by the rebels.

"This is meaningless. The interim government's seat in the United Nations will soon be handed over to the National Assembly."

Yuri did not believe there was any hope for the situation to improve.

"As long as the government has not been handed over, the interim government is the only legitimate government in Libya."

Qin Rui does not believe that the United States, Britain, and France can reach an agreement in a short period of time.

Now that the provisional government has been overthrown, the oil development agreements previously signed between the provisional government and Britain and France must be nullified and the benefits redistributed.

Royal Dutch Shell and Total have taken over the oil fields in the Sirte Basin.

They want Royal Dutch Shell and Total to give up their profits, and there's room for negotiation.

Unless the interests of Britain, France, and the United States are aligned, the provisional government's seat in the United Nations cannot be transferred to the National Assembly.

As long as the interim government retains its seat in the United Nations, it will be the only legitimate government of Libya.

"Tell Jalil that as long as he signs the arms deal, we can support him to continue serving as interim president and enjoy the oil revenues from Zawiya."

Qin Rui employed a two-pronged approach, offering both fame and fortune.

When Qin Rui asked Yuri to contact Jalil, Haftar came to the US Embassy in Benghazi again.

Stevens first congratulated Haftar, then demanded that Haftar transfer all operating rights of the oil fields in the Sirte Basin to American oil companies.

"The most important thing now is to eliminate the Numidian Brigade and transfer the interim government's seat in the United Nations to the National Assembly."

Haftar must first secure internal stability before engaging in external resistance.

"Investors need to achieve returns in stages in order to have the motivation to make the next round of investment."

Stevens reminded Haftar that since they had already received the advance payment, they should at least ship the goods before they could receive the next phase of payment.

"I can't possibly hand over all the oil fields in the Sirte Basin to them; that would be too foolish!"

Haftar doesn't want to put all his eggs in one basket.

"Since you can't do this, why did you agree in the first place?"

Do you know what you're doing?

Stevens reminded Haftar that capital is not an honest entity that can simply tear up agreements without paying any price.

"I am still very willing to hand over the entire oil field to them for management;

But you know, things have changed now;

Therefore, we should renegotiate whether the previous agreement was reasonable.

Haftar was self-righteous, saying that times had changed and he did not think there was anything wrong with his behavior.

"So, what do you think is the reasonable approach?"

Stevens was shrewd; even though he had murderous intent, he still greeted her with a smile.

"The operating rights of the oil field should be divided into three parts, to be operated by the Libyan National Oil Corporation and oil companies from France, the United States, and the United Kingdom respectively."

Haftar dipped his finger in his coffee and drew a line down the middle of the coffee table in front of him, dividing one half into three parts.

"I will pass your suggestion on to Washington."

Stevens remained noncommittal, his smile widening.