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Russia seeks return of Russian sailors from Libya — Russian foreign ministry

The Mekhanik Chebotarev ship was detained in Libya on September 16 this year

© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

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Several Russians still held by Libyan group — Lavrov

MOSCOW, December 22 /TASS/. Russia seeks the earliest return of Russian crewmen from the Mekhanik Chebotarev tanker who remain in Libya to Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued after a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Khalifa al-Gwell, the head of the Libyan government, held on Tuesday.

"Lavrov thanked Libyan representatives for assistance in releasing a group of Russian crewmen from the Mekhanik Chebotarev ship, which was detained in Libya on September 16 this year. He said that the three sailors who are still staying in Libya should return to Russia as soon as possible," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The current military-political situation in Libya and prospects for development of Russian-Libyan contacts in various spheres were also part of agenda, the ministry said.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov Russian Foreign Ministry Libya

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