Member of the House of Representatives (HoR) Bader Al-Oqibi urged Russia on Saturday to intervene “decisively” in Libya so as “not to allow Europe to have a say in Libyan affairs.”
Oqibi and a Libyan delegation led by Speaker of the HoR Aqila Saleh met with the Russian State Duma during a visit to Moscow starting from Thursday.
The MP emphasized that Libyans consider Russia a strong country and ally, describing joint relations as “deep.”
Moscow’s role has extended its reach across the Middle East and North Africa, becoming a central player in the resource-rich country.
Leaders of Libya’s warring political factions, including Head of Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar and Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord Faiez Sarraj, set a path to elections earlier this year at a meeting in Paris May 29.
For its part, Russia declared it supports international mediation efforts.
The Soviet Union had close ties to ousted President Muammer Gaddafi’s Libya, which Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to rekindle in a 2008 visit that brought Moscow billions of dollars in arms, oil and rail contracts.
Further, Haftar is one of the powerful players in Libya, and his forces receive explicit support from several regional powers, such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Haftar also enjoys a friendship with Russia as Russia’s military has long shown backing for Libyan commander, who dominates eastern Libya. He has visited Russia before, and last year the Russian defense ministry hosted him aboard its sole aircraft carrier.
On Nov. 7, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met Haftar in Moscow to discuss the ways to settle the north African country’s years of strife.
