Libya–Russia relations

Libya–Russia relations

Libya	Russia

File:Lybian Embassy Moscow.jpg

Libyan embassy in Moscow

Libya–Russia relations (Russian: Российско-ливийские отношения or Ливийско-российские отношения) is the bilateral relationship between the two countries, Libya and Russia. Russia has an embassy in Tripoli, and Libya has an embassy in Moscow. Diplomatic contact between Russia and Libya has always been close and productive; seeing as both countries have had and continue to see volatile relations with the United States. Leader Muammar al-Gaddafi was a close ally of the Soviet Union, despite his country's membership in the NAM; also Russia regards Libya as its strongest ally in the Arab world.

On April 2008, Vladimir Putin visited Libya, which was the first visit by a Russian President to Libya.

Although Russia has criticized NATO's campaign in Libya, Dmitry Medvedev suggested that Colonel Gaddafi lost the legitimacy and requested that he should step down. Nonetheless, Russia has for a while maintained a diplomatic presence in Tripoli with the Gaddafi government until September 2011 when Moscow switched recognition to the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council.

Vladimir Putin lashed out at U.S. for killing Gaddafi and asked "They showed to the whole world how he (Gaddafi) was killed; there was blood all over. Is that what they call a democracy?" Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Gaddafi should not have been killed, and added that his death should be investigated.

Russia had joined the arms sanctions against Libya, suspending all contracts for the supply of military hardware to the country in 2011 during Libyan Civil War, on May 7, 2012, Russia lifted embargo on Arms Supplies to Libya.

In 2013, the Russian embassy in Libya was attacked. All Russian diplomats and their families were evacuated. They were said to return after the present interim government of Libya can protect the Russian diplomats and embassy.

External links

• (Russian) Documents on the Libya–Russia relationship from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• У Муамара Каддафи разыгралось вооружение

• Russian diplomats will return to Libya only after actual security measures are taken - official

• Russian Diplomats Evacuated From Libya (Video)