Russian Embassy unlikely to reopen in Tripoli soon due to security issues

By Sputnik

FOREIGN RELATIONS

WORLD - Russian Embassy is unlikely to return to Tripoli in the near future due to security issues, Lev Dengov, the head of the Russian Contact Group for intra-Libyan settlement, told Sputnik.

In 2013, the Russian diplomatic mission was evacuated from Libya after its building came under attack.

"Due to the security issues in Tripoli, I do not think we will see any changes in the near future," Dengov said.

The head of the Russian contact group cited the situation with Italian Ambassador to Libya Giuseppe Perrone, who had to leave the country after some of his remarks made in an interview sparked angry reaction in Libya.

"We do not want for our representatives to have some statements they made influence their safety. Perhaps that is why we are not present there yet," Dengov said.

Last year, Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Foreign Minister Mohamed Taher Siala invited Russia to reopen its embassy.