Italian Parliament members from the governing party have warned that hundreds of Russian mercenaries fighting for Khalifa Haftar's forces in Libya constitute a concerning turning point in the conflict and damage national reconciliation efforts before the international conference in Berlin.
Italian news agency, Aki, reported the lawmakers as saying that the Russian mercenaries can make difference in the ongoing fighting for Haftar's forces against the forces under the command of Presidential Council's government, "supported by Italy and the UN."
They added that remaining silent is no longer helpful as world powers keep intervening in Libya to destabilize this country "that has very significant strategic importance to Italy."
New York Times said Tuesday in a report that 200 Russian mercenaries have been despatched to fight alongside Haftar's forces in Tripoli as part of The Kremlin's expanding influence in the Middle East and Africa.
The New York Times added that Moscow is repeating the same game that it adopted to have a massive influence in the war in Syria.
