Russian presidential envoy to Africa Mikhail Margelov said on Friday he is preparing a trip to Tripoli and expects to meet with Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmoudi and Libyan Foreign Minister Abdelati al-Obeidi.
"During my visit to Tripoli, I intend to meet Prime Minister of Libya, Mr. Mahmoudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs [Abdelati al-Obeidi] and other members of the Cabinet," Margelov said during a press conference at RIA Novosti. Margelov also said he is willing to meet with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
"At the moment I have not yet received instructions from Russian President [Dmitry Medvedev] to meet with Muammar Gaddafi," Margelov said. "But if the Russian president instructs me to meet with Gaddafi, I am ready," he added.
U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle later on Friday met with Margelov and told him the United States would aid in granting an air corridor from NATO in order to fly to Tripoli.
On Tuesday, Margelov visited Benghazi where he held talks with Libyan opposition leaders.
Last week, NATO extended its mission in Libya by 90 days. The coalition intervened in the North African country in March under a UN mandate to protect civilians against attack by forces loyal to Gaddafi.
MOSCOW, June 10 (RIA Novosti)
