A delegation from the Libyan Parliament, led by the Energy Committee member Nasser Bin Nafie, along with the Head of the Oversight Bodies Monitoring Committee, Zayed Hadia, the Chairman of the Energy Committee, Issa Al-Araibi, and the Foreign Affairs Committee member, Al-Mabrouk Al-Khattabi, met with representatives from the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
The meeting focused on the latest developments in Libya, several topics of mutual interest, and bilateral relations.
Russia 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.
The meeting discussed the progress on 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.”
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.