Discussions were held between Belousov and Libyan General Haftar

Russia and the Libyan National Army (LNA) recently held a meeting to further strengthen their relationships and cooperation. The talks, confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, took place between Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and LNA Chief of Staff, General Khalifa Haftar.

The discussions focused on current issues of Russian-Libyan military cooperation and the situation in North Africa. Both parties also addressed the ongoing fight against terrorism in Libya, a cause that Russia consistently supports.

In 2024, the parties intensified their military-technical cooperation, including equipment supplies and personnel training. This development was a significant step towards strengthening the partnership between the two nations.

During the meeting, General Khalifa Haftar was congratulated on his appointment as Chief of Staff by Andrei Belousov. The Russian Defense Minister stated that this appointment was a recognition of Haftar's significant contribution to strengthening Libya's defense.

In addition, the son of General Khalifa Haftar, Khaled Haftar, was appointed as the new deputy of the Libyan National Army under his father's command in August 2023. Andrei Belousov also congratulated Khaled Haftar on his appointment. His brother, Sadam Haftar, was also congratulated on his appointment as Deputy Commander of the LNA.

The talks between General Khalifa Haftar and Andrei Belousov were aimed at building on agreements reached during Haftar's visit to Moscow for the 80th anniversary of Victory. The meeting also included discussions about the situation in Libya and the fight against terrorism.

The talks between the Russian and Libyan delegations are a testament to the growing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the military sector. As both countries work together to combat terrorism and strengthen their defense capabilities, their relationship is expected to continue to grow in the future.