Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov denied that Russia had a plan to strengthen its military presence in Libya, pointing out that any military cooperation requires the approval of a legitimate government and the ratification of Parliament, which is difficult to achieve in the current circumstances.
Bogdanov – the Russian President’s Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa – confirmed in statements to an Egyptian newspaper that Moscow’s position is consistent regarding calling on foreign forces for a gradual and balanced withdrawal from Libya, with the aim of preserving the existing balance and avoiding any escalation. He stressed that decisions related to such issues must be taken unanimously by the Libyan parties.
In a related context, Bogdanov expressed Russia’s support for holding elections in Libya, with the participation of all political forces, including those he described as “supporters of the former regime.” He explained that the elections represent an important step towards stabilizing the country and forming a unified government.
Putin’s representative indicated that the efforts made in Bouznika, Morocco, had yielded positive results in coordinating the legislative framework between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State for the preparation of elections, stressing the need to resume consultations to ensure that elections are held in the near future.
