Moscow builds ties with Tripoli government before December vote

A delegation of the Russian General Staff visited Tripoli on Nov. 10. The Russian military was received by the chief of staff of the Libyan army controlled by the Presidential Council, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, and other leaders of the armed forces operating in western Libya.

Col. Gen. Alexei Kim, deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Ground Forces and head of the Russian delegation, said that he arrived in Tripoli "to renew and continue to develop relations," as well as "to reaffirm his readiness to work and support the Libyan army."

Haddad, in turn, emphasized "the depth of relations between the two countries" and "the role of the Russian military establishment in the restoration of the Libyan army."

“We hope that Russia will play an important role in uniting the Libyan armed forces,” said the head of the Libyan General Staff.