Putin meets Libya's eastern deputy commander amid rising unrest
Deputy commander Saddam Hifter of Libya's eastern forces visited the Kremlin and discussed cooperation with President Vladimir Putin as protests and violence flare in the country.
Saddam Hifter, deputy commander of the Libyan National Army, traveled to Moscow for a Kremlin audience with President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the deepening ties between the eastern Libyan camp and Russia. In a statement posted by the LNA, Hifter highlighted ongoing cooperation across multiple sectors, while Putin lauded the armed forces' contribution to security and affirmed backing for efforts to reunify Libya's political and military structures.
The discussion follows a prior meeting with Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, where both sides explored ways to expand bilateral cooperation. Russia maintains a military footprint in eastern Libya, including personnel at several air bases and historic links through the Wagner group. The talks occur against a backdrop of escalating unrest, including protests over electricity shortages, a drone strike on a Zawiya substation, and the recent killing of the LNA's intelligence chief in Benghazi.
Why it matters
The talks signal Russia's expanding influence in a volatile Libya, affecting regional stability and energy markets.
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