Libya–Russia relations

Libya–Russia relations

Libya
Russia
Libyan embassy in Moscow

Libya–Russia relations (Russian: Российско-ливийские отношения or Ливийско-российские отношения) is the bilateral relationship between the two countries, Libya and Russia. Russia has an embassy in Tripoli, and Libya has an embassy in Moscow. Diplomatic contact between Russia and Libya has always been close and productive; seeing as both countries have had and continue to see volatile relations with the United States. Leader Muammar al-Gaddafi was a close ally of the Soviet Union, despite his country's membership in the NAM; also Russia regards Libya as its strongest ally in the Arab world.

On April 2008, Vladimir Putin visited Libya, which was the first visit by a Russian President to Libya.[1]

Although Russia has criticized NATO's campaign in Libya, Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Colonel Gaddafi lost the legitimacy and requested that he should step down.[2] Nonetheless, Russia has for a while maintained a diplomatic presence in Tripoli with the Gaddafi government until September 2011 when Moscow switched recognition to the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council.

Vladimir Putin lashed out at U.S. for killing Gaddafi and asked "They showed to the whole world how he (Gaddafi) was killed; there was blood all over. Is that what they call a democracy?"[3] Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Gaddafi should not have been killed, and added that his death should be investigated.[4]

Russia had joined the arms sanctions against Libya, suspending all contracts for the supply of military hardware to the country in 2011 during Libyan Civil War, on May 7, 2012, Russia lifted embargo on Arms Supplies to Libya.[5]

In 2013, the Russian embassy in Libya was attacked. All Russian diplomats and their families were evacuated. They were said to return after the present interim government of Libya can protect the Russian diplomats and embassy.[6]

In February 2015, during the Second Libyan Civil War, discussions on supporting the Libyan parliament by supplying them with weapons reportedly took place in Cairo when President of Russia Vladimir Putin arrived for talks with the government of Egypt, during which the Russian delegates also spoke with a Libyan delegation. Colonel Ahmed al-Mismari, the spokesperson for the Libyan Army's chief of staff, also stated that "Arming the Libyan army was a point of discussion between the Egyptian and Russian presidents in Cairo."[7] The deputy foreign minister of Russia, Mikhail Bogdanov, has stated that Russia will supply the government of Libya with weapons if UN sanctions against Libya are lifted.[8] In April 2015, Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani visited Moscow and announced that Russia and Libya will strengthen their relations, especially economic relations.[9] He also met with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and said that he request Russia's assistance in fixing the country's government institutions and military strength.[10] The prime minister also met with Nikolai Patrushev, the Russian president's security adviser, and talked about the need to restore stability in Libya as well as the influence of terrorist groups in the country. Patrushev stated that a "priority for regional politics is the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya."[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Putin's visit 'historic and strategic'". Gulf News. 2008-04-18. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  2. ↑ "BBC News - G8: Libya's Gaddafi 'should go', say world leaders". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  3. ↑ "Putin slams U.S. on Gaddafi killing - Xinhua | English.news.cn". News.xinhuanet.com. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  4. ↑ "Gaddafi should not have been killed - Lavrov — RT Russian politics". Rt.com. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  5. ↑ "Russia Lifts Embargo on Arms Supplies to Libya | Defense | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  6. ↑ Interfax (2013-10-08). "Russian diplomats will return to Libya only after actual security measures are taken - official | Russia Beyond The Headlines". Rbth.ru. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  7. ↑ Egypt acts as middleman for Russia-Libya arms deal. Al Monitor. Ayah Aman. Published 19 February 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Russia Will Supply Weapons to Libya if UN Embrago is Lifted. IB Times. Christopher Harress. Published 16 April 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Ат-Тани: Ливия пересмотрит контракты, заключенные с РФ в 2008 году | Al-Thani: Libya will renew contracts signed with the RF in 2008 (In Russian). RIA Novosti. Published 14 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Ливия просит РФ поддержать восстановление государственных институтов | Libya asks the RF to support the restoration of government institutions (In Russian). RIA Novosti. Published 15 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  11. ↑ Патрушев и ливийский премьер обеспокоены влиянием террористов в Ливии | Patrushev and Libyan premier are disturbed by terrorist influence in Libya (In Russian). RIA Novosti. Published 15 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
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