Lukashenko Engages in Talks with Libyan National Army Leader

President Lukashenko held talks with Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar to strengthen bilateral ties between Belarus and Libya. Despite current conflicts in Libya, both leaders emphasized friendship and cooperation across various sectors. The meeting concluded with Lukashenko promising support for Libya’s recovery and offering Belarusian agricultural machinery as gifts.

On the occasion of talks held at the Palace of Independence, President Alexander Lukashenko hosted a delegation from Libya led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the Supreme Commander of the Libyan National Army. The discussions aimed to enhance relations between Belarus and Libya, underscoring long-standing ties despite the current conflict in Libya. Lukashenko expressed a commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya’s leadership and its populace.

Belarus has not recently reported on its cooperation with Libya, despite a historical context of amicable relations. The ongoing conflict presents challenges, yet both nations are motivated to strengthen connections and explore mutually beneficial opportunities for development. Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov noted the importance of assisting Libya as it strives to recover from turmoil, acknowledging the substantial impact of NATO’s 2011 intervention.

Lukashenko remarked on Belarus’ readiness to support Libya moving forward and emphasized the significance of Haftar’s visit to discuss various collaborative projects. He welcomed the Libyan commander warmly, expressing deep knowledge of and respect for Libya and its people. “We are ready to do for you everything that you see as useful in Belarus,” stated Lukashenko, affirming Belarus’s commitment to cooperation and timely execution of agreements reached during the talks.

Field Marshal Haftar expressed gratitude for the invitation and conveyed eagerness to develop a solid partnership with Belarus, noting the successful peace maintained in the country amid regional tensions. He commended Belarus as a high-tech state with robust industrial capacity, indicating his desire for strategic collaboration to benefit both nations. “We have a very strong desire to create strategic cooperation between us, Mr. President, for the future,” he stated.

The meeting lasted two and a half hours, primarily conducted behind closed doors without media coverage. It concluded with the exchange of gifts, where President Lukashenko presented certificates for Belarusian agricultural machinery to the people of Libya, symbolizing the intent to strengthen bilateral ties.

In summary, President Alexander Lukashenko’s discussions with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar signify a renewed commitment to strengthening Belarus-Libya relations. Both leaders expressed a desire to cooperate in various sectors despite ongoing challenges, highlighting Belarus’s readiness to assist in Libya’s recovery. The meeting reflects a future-oriented perspective on international collaboration between the two nations.

Original Source: news.by