By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov met with Libya's Benghazi-based military commander Khalifa Haftar in Moscow to discuss strengthening defense ties and addressing the security situation in Libya, Russia’s Defense Ministry said late Sunday.
“During the talks, the sides discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the defense sphere, as well as the situation in Libya in general,” the ministry said in a statement, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS.
The two sides “confirmed their mutual willingness to develop cooperation through the defense ministries of the two countries in order to ensure security and stability in the Middle East region,” the statement added.
Russia has previously offered political and military support to Haftar, whose forces control eastern Libya.
Haftar’s visit comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts to stabilize the country, which remains divided between rival administrations in the east and west.