Russia Respects Int'l Agreement on Libyan Arms Embargo - Head of Contact Group

Belligerent Libyan factions (Sarraj on one side and Haftar on the other) are asking for the UN embargo on lethal weapons in Libya to be revoked. The question is whether Russia will vote to remove the embargo in Libya at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The Russian Federation has stated numerous times that it respects all the international agreements and limitations concerning Libya and has not considered the possibility of lifting the arms embargo imposed on Libya, said Lev Dengov, the head of the Russian contact team on Libya in an interview with Agenzia Nova.

"It would be wrong to say there are any actions taken to remove the embargo. So far, there is no need for it. It’s premature to remove the arms embargo against Libya as long as there is no centralized power, no consensus on who should lead and control the Libyan forces," Dengov said.

Dengov added that any deliveries will inevitably lead to an escalation of the conflict and "so far it should be prevented under any circumstances."

READ MORE: Russia Confirms Observance of Int'l Embargo on Arms Supplies to Libya

In 2011, the UN Security Council imposed a number of restrictive measures on Libya's authorities over their suppression of civilian demonstrators who were protesting against the government, then headed by Muammar Gaddafi. The sanctions, which are still in effect, include, among other measures, a two-way arms embargo and frozen funds belonging to the country's key financial institutions.

In July, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj told Sputnik that the Libyan Government of National Accord hoped Russia would contribute to lifting the arms embargo so that the country could more effectively fight terrorist groups operating within its borders.