On 8 January, acting Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) al-Taher al-Baour emphasized that reports of the transfer of Russian military equipment and weapons from Syria to Libya are unconfirmed media reports. He said the GNU is closely monitoring and evaluating the situation. Any military presence on Libyan territory without prior agreement with the GNU or according to a bilateral cooperation that serves Libya is rejected. He stressed the ‘parallel government in the east’ has no right to conclude any international agreement.
On 8 January, a Russian cargo plane landed at Mitiga Airport in Tripoli, departing a short time thereafter.
On 9 January, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni warned that Russia might seek a new foothold in the region following its setback in Syria, especially in eastern Libya. Highlighting Libya’s strategic importance and the potential risks posed by increased Russian influence in North Africa, she called for close monitoring of all of Russia’s activities in Libya.
As of 12 January, the Russian transport ships in Tartus were not yet allowed by the Syrian authorities to load military equipment from the Russian military bases in Syria. The Russian warships are still waiting outside of the harbour. The equipment to be evacuated stretches for almost one kilometre, including six S-400 transport erector launchers [TELs].