The Media Division of the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced on Monday the arrival of a fleet of Russian warships at Tobruk Naval Base for a three-day visit, following a prior visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. The fleet includes the missile cruiser “Varyag” and the frigate “Marshal Shaposhnikov.”
The Media Division stated that the visit of the Russian warships is part of practical steps to enhance cooperation between Russia and Libya, restore long-standing friendly relations, and provide Russian expertise to bolster the sovereignty and independence of the Libyan state and its armed forces.
As part of this cooperation, 250 students and officers have been sent to study at military academies in the Russian Federation, including 100 students and officers at Russian naval academies.
The General Staff of the Naval Forces of the Libyan National Army clarified that the visit aims to affirm cooperation and coordination between the Libyan and Russian navies in training, maintenance, technical and logistical support, exchange of expertise and information, and cooperation in maritime security, serving the interests of both countries.
The mission commander and the commanders of the two Russian vessels were received at the office of the commander of the Tobruk Naval Base, where they exchanged greetings and discussed various aspects of the visit’s activities and programs to maximize its benefits.
Last week, the Russian Ambassador to Libya, Aydar Aganin, emphasised that elections are the only way to establish legitimate institutions that will lead Libya towards future development and prosperity.
He acknowledged the difficult situation in Libya, noting that the political division is painful for Russia given their historical ties. Aganin called on Libyan parties to genuinely work towards ending the division and unifying the country and its institutions.
In remarks to Al-Jazeera news, Aganin stressed the importance of forming sovereign institutions and granting them legitimacy through the ballot box. He expressed Russia’s desire to see Libya as a unified, secure, and prosperous state, highlighting that Russia maintains contact with all parties and excludes no one.
The ambassador mentioned that Russia is present in Tripoli and collaborates with the Government of National Unity (GNU). He also noted that there have been numerous visits from western Libya to Russia.
