Belarusian officials in eastern Libya to discuss ties, including oil business

March 11, Pozirk. Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktar Karankievič met Osama Hamada of the eastern Lybia’s civilian government to discuss expansion of bilateral ties, the Libyan side reported. 

The officials signed several important documents to support development in Libya, it noted, without specifying further details.

The visit is taking place just a few weeks after Alaksandar Łukašenka expressed readiness to cooperate with Libya following a meeting with Khalifa Belqasim Omar Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), in Minsk.

Karankievič heads a large delegation during the visit, which was not announced by Minsk. It includes Health Minister Alaksandar Chadžajeŭ, Education Minister Andrej Ivaniec, Industry Minister Alaksandar Jafimaŭ, Agriculture Minister Juryj Harłoŭ and Emergency Management Minister Vadzim Siniaŭski.

The Committee for State Security (KGB) chief Ivan Tertel, Siarhiej Łukaševič of the foreign ministry as well as oil and petrochemical giant Biełnaftachim’s CEO Illa Ikan and are also in eastern Lybia. The latter reportedly discussed the work of a joint contact group for cooperation in the oil sector with Awad Kweidir of the Arabian Gulf Oil Company and Awad Al-Badri in charge of eastern Libya’s energy production.

Key priorities of cooperation feature geological exploration, mineral extraction technologies, supplies of equipment and machinery and energy sector upgrades, the report said.

Libya’s political crisis has been ongoing since Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in 2011. Since March 2022, two different governments control the country, the Tripoli-based and internationally recognized led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Benghasi-based government led by Osama Hamada. The LNA, led by 81-year-old Haftar, is loyal to the Libyan House of Representatives in Tobruk.

In 2019, Haftar launched a failed attack on Tripoli. Reports suggested that his troops were aided by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group.

Also read: Libyan warlord in Minsk to discuss military ties