Russia overturns Libya arms supply embargo

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has lifted an embargo on the arms supplies to Libya, the official legal information portal reported on Monday, May 7, RIA Novosti reported.

The decree was signed by former president Dmitry Medvedev on May 6.

Russia joined the arms sanctions against Libya, suspending all contracts for the supply of military hardware to the country in 2011, when the North African nation was torn by a civil war, which resulted in the overthrow of the 40-year regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

At least 30,000 Libyans were killed in the civil war, including Gaddafi, who was shot dead by rebels in his hometown of Sirte in October 2011.

Rosoboronexport head Anatoly Isaikin said last year that Russia's state-run arms exporter had lost a total of $4 billion over the cancellation of contracts with Libya and will resume talks with Libyan authorities as soon as the embargo is lifted.