The Russian charge d’affaires for Libya, Dzhamshed Boltaev, told ‘Sputnik’ news agency on Tuesday that he would maintain contact with all sides of the Libyan conflict.
“Of course, it is necessary and I am ready to travel and communicate with the authorities of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and with the authorities in the east of the country… I am planning to maintain contacts with all sides in Libya and keep in touch with all,” Boltaev said.
In early July, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the decision to resume the work of the Russian Embassy in Libya, although it will be temporarily be based in Tunisia.
“I’m ready to travel tomorrow, but for obvious reasons I can’t say when I will be there because of restrictions on air traffic that remain in place globally,” the Ambassador said.
The diplomatic mission will be based in Tunisia for security reasons, since the situation in Tripoli remains unsafe.
Civil war broke out in Libya after the toppling of long-time ruler Muammer Gaddafi in 2011. A myriad of militias are fighting for power and influence in the country, with Tripoli-allied militias backed primarily by Turkey and Qatar. Meanwhile, eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France, and Russia.