Russia has expressed its support for the United Nations Special Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily in conducting elections according to “fair laws.”
This statement was made by the Russian Ambassador to Libya, Aydar Aganin during his meeting with the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
According to a statement, the meeting discussed the progress of political and economic matters between the two countries.
Aganin affirmed Russia’s interest in fostering economic and academic cooperation between the public and private sectors of both nations.
Notably, a member of Libya’s High Council of State (HCS), Adel Karmous, expressed concern that “expanding Russian influence in Libya could lead to further political stagnation. Especially amid the deepening conflict between Moscow and Washington over various regional and international issues.”
Karmous questioned any potential shift in Russia’s stance, following the visit of HCS Head, Mohamed Takala to Moscow. He also questioned whether this visit could “lead to Russia adopting a neutral position in the Libyan arena, or at least becoming less biased towards one party.”
In a statement to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Karmous argued that Russia supported the eastern-based forces in their advance towards the capital in 2019 and 2020. As well as confirming ongoing military coordination with the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar
This coordination is evident in three consecutive visits by Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defense to Benghazi since August.
Karmous believes that these indicators “not only highlight the difficulty of changing Russian convictions and alliances, but also anticipate western Libya’s political and military forces rejecting any mediation offer from Russia, to resolve the political crisis in the country.”
Last month, Aganin expected a delay in the parliamentary and presidential elections in Libya. He stated that they are unlikely to take place this year.
According to Libya’s “Al-Saaa24” news, Aganin emphasised the need for patience, observation, and refraining from making any predictions. He explained that, “It is better to wait and watch and not make any predictions so that we do not later say that we were wrong in these expectations; anything can happen.”