Russia eyes to expand its military presence in eastern Libya

Russia is moving to expand its military presence in eastern Libya, a plan that could lead to a naval base, giving it a significant foothold on Europe’s southern doorstep.

A defence accord is being hammered out between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Libya’s eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar following their meeting in Moscow in late September, according to Bloomberg.

Russian warships may also get permanent docking rights at a Libyan port, most likely Tobruk, located just a few hundred kilometres across the Mediterranean from Greece and Italy.