Libyan Strongman Visits Russian Aircraft Carrier
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published January 12, 2017 | 12:35 AM
BENGHAZI, Libya, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2017 ) - Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar on Wednesday visited a Russian aircraft carrier off the coast of the North African nation in the latest sign of growing relations with Moscow.
The visit comes against a backdrop of rising tensions between Haftar's forces, aligned with an administration based in eastern Libya, and militias loyal to a UN-brokered unity government in Tripoli.
"Marshal Haftar visited the Russian aircraft carrier off (the eastern town of) Tobruk to meet a Russian military delegation," a military source close to Haftar said without giving further details.
Russia's defence ministry confirmed the visit to the Admiral Kuznetsov, which recently completed a two-month mission off Syria supporting President Bashar al-Assad against rebel forces. It said Haftar met Russian officers and crew before speaking by video link with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu about counter-terrorism efforts in the middle East.
The latest sign of closer ties follows a trip by Haftar to Moscow in late November to seek support for an end to the UN arms embargo against Libya. Haftar's forces, which call themselves the Libyan National Army (LNA), have battled militants in second city Benghazi for more than two years and control key eastern oil export terminals.
UN envoy Martin Kobler has expressed alarm about the tensions between the LNA and western militias who support the unity government and who drove Islamic State group militants from the city of Sirte in December. Haftar, accused by his rivals of wanting to install a military regime in Libya, enjoys the support of Arab states including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Russia targets Ukraine railways as Western aid due to arrive
Football: French Ligue 1 table
Miner Anglo American rejects BHP's near $39-billion takeover bid
115 held for selling roti at higher rate
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrang ..
NAB Lahore holds open court, promises compensations for victims
2 injured over money dispute
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
'Transforming Punjab Agriculture' plan to help develop farm sector on modern lin ..
Chairman PRCS engages in humanitarian collaboration with ambassador of Morocco
US stocks rebound on tech earnings, London hits new record
Junta-led Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for two weeks
More Stories From World
-
Russia targets Ukraine railways as Western aid due to arrive
5 minutes ago -
Miner Anglo American rejects BHP's near $39-billion takeover bid
17 minutes ago -
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
14 minutes ago -
Junta-led Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for two weeks
14 minutes ago -
Saudi to host top Arab, EU diplomats for Gaza talks: officials
17 minutes ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
12 minutes ago
-
US Fed's favored inflation measure accelerates in March
1 hour ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
1 hour ago -
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo: Ukraine source
1 hour ago -
French barber still trimming at 90
1 hour ago -
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo
1 hour ago -
UK man charged with 'Russia-backed arson plot' on Ukraine-linked targets
2 hours ago