Libyan Field Marshal Denies Requesting Arms From Russia

Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has not asked for any arms supplies from Russia as several media reports earlier claimed, a source close to the Field Marshal told Sputnik.

“Haftar did send his special envoy to Moscow on a mission that has nothing to do with arms deliveries and without any special message,” the source said.

He added that, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia was not allowed to send arms to Libya.

Izvestia newspaper earlier wrote, citing a diplomatic source, that Khalifa Haftar, who leads forces loyal to the Tobruk-based Council of Deputies, had requested Russia to end its arms embargo on Libya and begin supplying weapons and military equipment to eastern Libyan forces.

Haftar had reportedly addressed the request to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu via his special representative Abdel Basset Badri, who also serves as Libya's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Following the invasion of Libya by France, the UK and NATO in 2011, the North African country has descended into chaos. Libya has been left under the rule of tribal militia groups, stuck in a civil war leaving the country open to exploitation by Daesh.

Arms used by NATO and rebel groups to overthrow Colonel Muammar Gaddafi are now in the hands of Daesh militants who are using them to take over swathes of the country.