Kremlin spokesman says Russia wants Libya to overcome consequences of foreign interference

KRASNOYARSK, March 1. /TASS/. Moscow is interested in the early restoration of strong power in Libya following a barbarous foreign interference in this country’s internal affairs, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "Russia would like Libya to once again become a full-fledged state after a barbarous foreign interference in this its internal affairs which led to disastrous consequences as far as the existence of the Libyan state and the future of the Libyan people go," Peskov said. "This is why we are interested in the early restoration of strong power in Libya so that the process of restoring the state could begin." When asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to receive Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord Fayez al-Sarraj, who is expected to visit Russia on March 2-3, Peskov answered in the negative. "No, a meeting with the Libyan prime minister is not on the president’s schedule," he said. Russia’s Foreign Ministry earlier pointed to al-Sarraj’s interview with Reuters in which he positively assessed Russia’s role in settling the situation in Libya. The prime minister also said that Russia could assist in building meaningful dialogue between the Tripoli authorities and representatives of the eastern Libyan political camp. The Russian Foreign Ministry added that Moscow had been maintaining contacts with all parties to the intra-Libyan political process launched in Morocco’s Skhirat in December 2015. According to the ministry, Russia seeks to "assist the Libyans in overcoming the current controversies and reaching sustainable agreements on national reconciliation." Read more