Russia maintains contacts with both sides of the conflict in Libya - with the Government of National Accord led by Fayez al-Sarraj and the forces of the Libyan National Army led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual news conference.
"Russia is in constant contact with both sides – Haftar and al-Sarraj. There is also a dialogue with partners in Turkey and Europe. Who brought Libya to this state - Russia was against the use of armed forces in the country, and the UN resolution forbade Gaddafi to use country's aircraft against the armed opposition. Instead, the Western coalition used aircraft against Libya itself. If earlier the standard of living in Libya was close to European, now the country is in chaos and collapse," Russian President stressed.
According to Putin, "allowing stopping the fighting and agreeing on who, how and under what powers will govern the country" would have been the most correct decision.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation