Khaled Haftar meets Russian Deputy MoD in Moscow

May 1, 2025 | International actors

On 1 May, Lieutenant General Khaled Khalifa Haftar, Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Security Units, met Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov in the course of an official visit to Moscow. Haftar and Yevkurov addressed several topics of mutual interest and explored ways to strengthen collaboration between ‘Libya’ and Russia. In particular, they discussed expanding cooperation in military and security matters. Yevkurov praised the role of the LNA in maintaining security and stability, emphasizing that Libya’s stability is crucial for regional security. Khaled Haftar highlighted the deep ties between ‘Libya’ and Russia and stressed the importance of broadening cooperation in various fields, including military, security, economy, and other sectors, to serve the interests of both nations.

Earlier on 30 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Benghazi-based Government of National Stability (GNS), Abdul Hadi al-Huweij, received an invitation for an official visit to Moscow in a phone call with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa. According to the GNS MFA, the invitation underscores the common interest in deepening political dialogue and expanding mutual cooperation, which is particularly important in light of ongoing geopolitical changes and regional security challenges.