Another 'Military Approach' to Libya Will Destroy Its Statehood - Moscow

The Libyan crisis should be resolved in coordination with the country's authorities, and another military intervention can destroy Libya's statehood and turn it into a terrorist bridgehead, Russia's deputy foreign minister said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia is ready to closely coordinate its steps with international partners on the problem of settling the Libyan conflict, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Thursday.

“Yet another military approach in Libya could destroy Libyan statehood and in the end turn the country into a regional bridgehead for international terrorism.”

“Russia is ready to tightly coordinate its future steps with international partners on Libya,” Bogdanov said during a meeting with the International Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow.

“The Libyans need help in putting order at home, but taking any sort of concrete steps should be done on the basis of international law, with the agreement of the legal authorities of the country, and by considering all of the consequences,” he added.

Libya has been in a state of turmoil since the 2011 Arab Spring movement, which later led to a civil war and the overthrow of the country’s leader Muammar Gaddafi by Western-supported Islamic extremists.

The instability in the country has facilitated the emergence of numerous militant groups in the state, particularly Daesh, which is outlawed in many countries, including the United States and Russia.