Libyan Army Commander Signs $2 Billion Arms Deal With Russia Despite UN Sanctions

The Eastern Libyan commanders of Operation Dignity forces, Khalifa Haftar has signed a $2 billion arms deal with Russian government despite sanctions from the United Nations.

Al-Ghoul told Al-Arab on Monday that the visit of Haftar to the Russian aircraft carrier off Tobruk port saw the two parties signing a deal that would allow Haftar to reactivate the contracts of the former Libyan army of Muamar Gaddafi with Russia, Libya Express reported Monday.

“Abdullah Al-Thinni-led government of the HoR has tried many times to reactivate the contracts with Russia, it is the right of the Libyan army to have them back from Russia.” He added.

Al-Ghoul told the UK-based Al-Arab that this new deal signed with Russia would be so useful to pave the way for lifting the UN embargo on exporting weapons to Libya’s army, which he said is fighting terrorists across the country.

“Such a deal between the Libyan Army and Russia is a good loophole in the legal body of the UN embargo on Libya as it envisions an upcoming collapse of the resolution as Russia’s step would be so vital in that regard.” The HoR member indicated.

According to the Al-Arab newspaper, the deal that Haftar stroke with Russia onboard the aircraft carrier earlier last week is a continuation of the 2008 stopped contracts between Libya and Russia.