Russia is in talks with Libya to deploy a military base there, Bloomberg reports, citing anonymous sources familiar with the negotiations. According to journalists’ sources, Tripoli may receive air defense systems from Moscow in return.
Bloomberg reports that the preparation of the agreement began in late September, immediately after the visit to Moscow and the meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin by the commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar.
As part of the agreement, Russia will allegedly be able to obtain the right to permanently deploy warships on the Mediterranean coast, and will also receive several air bases for use.
In return, Libya is to receive air defense systems, and Russian instructors will train Libyan pilots and special forces.
Commenting on the information published by journalists, former US Special Envoy to Libya Jonathan Weiner noted that the US government takes it “very seriously.”
“If Russia gets ports in the Mediterranean, it will give it the ability to spy on the entire European Union,” Weiner said.
