Libya–Russia relations
Encyclopedia
Libya–Russia relations is the bilateral relationship between the two countries, Libya
and Russia
. Russia has an embassy in Tripoli
, and Libya has an embassy in Moscow
. Diplomatic contact between Russia and Libya has always been close and productive; seeing as both countries have had and continue to see volatile relations with the United States
. Leader Muammar al-Gaddafi
was a close ally of the Soviet Union
, despite his country's membership in the NAM
; also Russia regards Libya as its strongest ally in the Arab world
, both politically and historically.
Although Russia has criticized NATO's campaign in Libya
, it has also suggested that Col Gaddafi had lost all legitimacy and requested that Col Gaddafi should step down. Nonetheless, Russia has for a while maintained a diplomatic presence in Tripoli with the Gaddafi government until September when Moscow switched recognition to the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council
.
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Russia has an embassy in Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, and Libya has an embassy in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. Diplomatic contact between Russia and Libya has always been close and productive; seeing as both countries have had and continue to see volatile relations with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Leader Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
was a close ally of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, despite his country's membership in the NAM
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
; also Russia regards Libya as its strongest ally in the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
, both politically and historically.
Although Russia has criticized NATO's campaign in Libya
2011 military intervention in Libya
On 19 March 2011, a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which was taken in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war...
, it has also suggested that Col Gaddafi had lost all legitimacy and requested that Col Gaddafi should step down. Nonetheless, Russia has for a while maintained a diplomatic presence in Tripoli with the Gaddafi government until September when Moscow switched recognition to the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
.