 Khalifa Haftar |
Mercury Public Affairs has inked a $1.8M one-year contract with Libya’s Government of National Accord, which is under assault by a rebel group fronted by 75-year-old warlord Khalifa Haftar, a US citizen.
Though the United Nations and the US recognize the GNA as the legitimate ruler of Libya, president Trump made a phone call to Haftar on April 19 to discuss “ongoing counterterrorism efforts and the need to achieve peace and stability in Libya,” according to a White House statement.
Trump's phone chat followed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's demand that Haftar end his push into Libya's capital city of Tripoli and denounced him for "undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans."
Mercury is providing strategic consulting, government relations, lobbying and media outreach for the office of Libyan prime minister Fayez al-Serraj.
The firm is looking for interest groups allied with the goals of the GNA and coordinatating their support. Mercury also is active on the international affairs front, according to its contract.
The Omnicom unit received a $500K upfront fee when it launched its effort for Libya on April 22.
Future monthly fees of $150K are payable in advance.
The Williams Group is providing strategic counsel, tactical planning and government relations work for war-torn Sudan.
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer is helping the Embassy of Uzbekistan's efforts to attract increased trade and investment in Central Asia’s most populous country.
Cornerstone Government Affairs has signed a six-month agreement to represent Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US.
Florida’s Corvus Strategic Partners has signed to represent the interests of Colombia regarding its relations with the US.
Gunster Strategies Worldwide is representing the interests of the Chagossian Government in Exile, which opposes the planned UK transfer of the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, which hosts the joint UK/US military base, to Mauritius.
