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West should assume responsibility for situation in Libya — prime minister

Western countries completely destroyed the potential of the Libyan army and law enforcement, left Libyans without effective state institutions, Libyan PM said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani
© EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. The West should assume responsibility for the situation in Libya emerging after the destruction of state institutions, army and police in the North African country, Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani said on Wednesday at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"Western countries helped topple the former regime in Libya some time ago," al-Thani said. "However, they completely destroyed the potential of the Libyan army and law enforcement, left Libyans without effective state institutions, army and law enforcement," he added.

"Now, the West should assume full responsibility for this chaos," al-Thani stressed.

Libya asks for Russia’s support in lifting arms embargo

Libya counts on Russia’s support in the issue of lifting arms embargo from the North African country, Libyan Prime Minister went on to say.

"We want to ask Russia to take the side of Libya and Libyan people, to provide support for restoring state institutions, security in the country, including in the framework of international organizations. The final result of this should be the cancellation of arms embargo, which will become the start of restoring the combat capabilities of the armed forces," al-Thani said.

Libya wants to develop strategic relations with Russia

Libya wants to develop strategic relations with Russia, the prime minister added.

"We appreciate Russia’s role in preserving the balance of powers in the world and those firm principles that Russian foreign policy is based upon," al-Thani said. "We have a long history of relations. Libya has traditionally been obliged to Moscow for the potential of our army, aviation and fleet," he added.

"We intend to develop strong strategic relations with Russia," the Libyan prime minister noted.

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