The Russian ambassador to Libya, Aydar Aganin, has refuted the claims made in Western media reports about Moscow’s intention to establish military bases in Libya.
In an interview with Russia Today, Aganin stated, “We do not have any military bases in Libya, and we have no plans to establish a permanent military base in Libya.”
He added that Russia’s role in the Libyan landscape aims to end unilateralism and strengthen relations with all political parties in Libya without exception, while also enhancing cooperation across various fields to achieve the desired stability.
Recent Western media reports had suggested that Russia was seeking to expand its military influence in Africa, starting from Libya. However, the Russian ambassador’s remarks have categorically denied these claims.
Notably, the Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Kinschak, affirmed Moscow’s ongoing coordination with Libyan authorities regarding the opening a consulate in Benghazi.
Kinschak reminded, in statements to the “Novosti” agency, that after a long hiatus, the Russian Embassy in Tripoli resumed its operations in 2023. He added that the next step is the opening of the consulate general in Benghazi.
“The process of agreement with the Libyan side on establishing a new Russian consulate mission in the east of the country has not yet been completed,” he said.
“It is necessary to seriously work on all practical issues to ensure its normal functioning, including logistical services and security aspects, which is extremely challenging given the current Libyan reality,” he explained.
Kinschak pointed out that Libya still experiences a state of actual power duality, with the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbaiba, facing off against the Parliament-designate government led by Osama Hammad, and supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.
The Russian diplomat added, “It is evident that this situation creates some difficulties, whether for the normal functioning of the existing diplomatic missions in this country or for establishing new missions.”
