In exactly two months, Libyan citizens will go to the polls to elect the new president for a country desperate for rehabilitation after years of civil war.
The separatist general Khalifa Heftar and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the former ruler, will run for office, but this election already has one clear winner: an Israeli communications consultant, who actually advises the two candidates in exchange for what appear to be large-scale contracts.
Israel Today has learned that about two months ago, a contract was signed in Dubai between General Hefter and a large Israeli communications and strategy company.
The contract with the company's representatives was signed by Lexam Hefter, one of the general's sons.
The company's owner has already run successful campaigns for presidential and prime ministerial candidates in Israel and other countries around the world.
Gaddafi.
Still exiled, Photo: AFP
However, after signing the contract with Hefter, the consulting firm also received an application from Saif al-Islam.
The initial connection between Gaddafi Jr. and the consultant was created by a former model, who lives in Dubai.
According to Persian Gulf officials, the relationship was so successful that in order to help the two competitors, a new company was registered in the UAE with which a new consulting contract was signed, this time with Gaddafi.
This contract is also estimated at tens of millions of dollars, which will be financed by businessmen from Oman, as well as business entities from the UAE, who even provided personal guarantees to finance Gaddafi Jr.'s campaign.
The big money
The separatist general Hefter and his son Saddam, a senior Libyan army official, headed the rebel army in eastern Libya, which refused to accept the legitimacy of the country's first national unity government after the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime.
They were a significant factor in the Second Civil War, which broke out in 2014 and ended in a compromise outline, in which 'Abd al-Dabaiba was appointed prime minister until the presidential election.
Button.
May win, Photo: AFP
Unlike his father and some of his brothers who were murdered by the rebels, Sif al-Islam fled Libya, but has not yet returned to his homeland from his place in the Gulf states despite his popularity.
The reason: a series of charges against him for corruption and other offenses.
He recently announced his intention to run again despite the charges, and has won widespread support in the lobby parliament.
"There are quite a few stakeholders who are staring at the big money in rebuilding Libya and returning it to the family of nations along with its vast oil reserves," a senior United Arab Emirates journalist told Israel Today. Also supported by US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Western entities.
Saif al-Islam is supported by Russia, UAE officials and the Sultanate of Oman, and is also very popular in Libya.
What is certain is that no matter which of the two wins, the Israeli media consultant is the big winner. "
In a conversation with "Israel Today", the Israeli media consultant refused to comment.