Despite official denials, France has long been suspected by analysts and even allies of favouring the secular strongman of Libya’s east, commander Khalifa Haftar, in the conflict with the UN-recognised government in Tripoli.  James Dorsey, Senior Fellow at RSIS, said it made sense for France to continue backing Haftar. “Haftar’s issue is not so much his military performance The issue is, he is just a very stubborn guy,” he said.