Russia supports Libya’s efforts on restoring territorial integrity - Lavrov

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Russia supports Libya’s efforts in restoring territorial integrity and national unity, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday at a meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani. Lavrov noted that this is al-Thani’s first visit to Moscow, and Russia values these contacts. "We are connected by traditionally friendly ties with the Libyan people," the foreign minister said. "We support the efforts that your government is taking to restore territorial integrity, national unity and ensure effective fight against terrorism that continues to threaten your country," Lavrov said. Moscow supports international efforts on stabilizing the situation in the region, he added. "We hope to discuss the state of affairs and the direction in which we [international community] can effectively move toward reaching territorial integrity and sovereignty of Libya," Lavrov noted. "The sooner these issues are solves, the faster we can employ the huge potential of our bilateral cooperation," he stressed. Libya wants to develop strategic relations with Russia, Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani said. "We appreciate Russia’s role in preserving the balance of powers in the world and those firm principles that Russian foreign policy is based upon," al-Thani said. "We have a long history of relations. Libya has traditionally been obliged to Moscow for the potential of our army, aviation and fleet," he added. The West should assume responsibility for the situation in Libya emerging after the destruction of state institutions, army and police in the North African country, al-Thani stressed. "Western countries helped topple the former regime in Libya some time ago," al-Thani said. "However, they completely destroyed the potential of the Libyan army and law enforcement, left Libyans without effective state institutions, army and law enforcement," he added. "Now, the West should assume full responsibility for this chaos," al-Thani said. Read more