Russia hopes to deepen military ties with Libya and Erdogan calls on NATO to support new Libyan government

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu stressed the importance of deepening military relations with Libya, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on NATO to support the new Libyan government.

“This visit is the first step towards the resumption of comprehensive cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries,” said the Russian Defense Minister – after receiving the Libyan Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba in Moscow.

Shoigu added that Russian efforts have helped achieve a political settlement and stop military actions in Libya.

“I am convinced that the Libyan people who are friends of Russia will overcome the crisis in the long term,” he said.

In turn, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba confirmed – in his capacity as Minister of Defense of his government – that his country intends to open a new page for relations with Russia.

He added: “We are seeking to create a new economic climate in Libya, in which Russia is present as an economic partner and supporter”.

The meeting is part of a visit the Libyan prime minister began in Moscow on Thursday, during which he will meet with a number of Russian officials.

Dabaiba said – during a televised press conference yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov – that “more than 80% of Libyan state institutions have been unified under the aegis of this government, leaving than the military establishment ”. Publicity

Although retired Major General Khalifa Haftar welcomed the election of the transitional authority, according to his forces spokesman on February 6; He continues to operate independently of the legitimate government and continues to lead armed militias, assuming the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Army, in total disregard of the Supreme Army Commander, President of the Presidential Council, Muhammad al- Manfi.

Haftar’s forces use mercenaries from several countries – including mercenaries from the Russian company Wagner – in their military operations in the country, as they launched an unsuccessful attack on the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in April 2019.

Turkish request

For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on NATO to support the new Libyan government.

Erdogan stressed – in a phone call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday – the need to provide support to the Libyan government in the areas of defense and security.

He indicated that Turkey was making contributions in this direction within the framework of the agreements concluded with the Libyan side.

In a related context, diplomats said the UN Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution supporting developments in Libya that are in the interest of peace and security. since the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement in October.

The UK drafted the text demanded by parties to the Libyan conflict in the cessation of hostilities agreement, which came after a decade of power struggles between two governments in the east and west of the country.