Libyan Presidential Council chief calls on Russia for help in expelling foreign troops

The head of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, called on Russia to help expel foreign fighters from the country's territory.

"We turn to our friends in the Russian government and to our friends in African countries for help in getting foreign troops out of our territory," al-Menfi said, speaking at the plenary session of the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg.

He added that Libyan leaders' efforts are aimed at overcoming national division and creating a unified armed forces that can be relied upon to "maintain peace and tranquillity" as well as "to solve the country's outstanding problems".

Al-Menfi also expressed concern about the coup in "brother Niger".

"The latest developments in brother Niger are of great concern to us and we advocate the restoration of legitimate authority in that country," he said.

The 5+5 Joint Military Committee, which brings together opposing powers in Libya, reached a commitment this year to expel foreign fighters from the country as of the 2021 action plan, linked to the Libyan ceasefire agreement of 2020, under the auspices of the UN and in coordination with neighbouring countries.

Furthermore, in March, this body undertook to establish a joint force and unify the military institution in order to promote the holding of elections, which have been suspended sine die since December 2021.

Russia previously announced the resumption of the work of its embassy in Tripoli and plans to open a consulate general in Benghazi.

Moscow hopes that increasing its diplomatic presence in Libya will help boost its economic interests there.