Lavrov Announces Consulate General in Benghazi as Russia and Libya Pledge Deeper Ties
MOSCOW, April 21, 2026 – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Tuesday the imminent opening of a Russian Consulate General in Benghazi, following substantive talks in Moscow with senior Libyan officials from the Government of National Unity.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Libyan Foreign Minister Taher Al-Baour and Transport Minister Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, Lavrov described Libya as a “time-tested partner” with a historically positive attitude toward Russia. He emphasized that decades of productive cooperation across multiple sectors provide a strong foundation for building a “new bright future” based on continuity.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s principled stance that Libya’s internal political problems must be resolved through inclusive national dialogue involving all political forces, with the United Nations playing the leading role. He welcomed the observation of the ceasefire agreement in Libya, which has now held for several years, noting that practical steps to expand bilateral relations depend on continued stabilization.
The ministers discussed regional issues, including the crisis in the Persian Gulf, which Lavrov attributed to “unprovoked aggression by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Russia and Libya, he said, share common assessments of developments in the Middle East and North Africa, advocating for an immediate cessation of force and the establishment of a sustainable political and diplomatic process. Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to help normalize relations between Gulf Arab monarchies and Iran.
On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Lavrov stated that its decades-long failure to be resolved remains the underlying cause of many regional troubles, calling on all responsible stakeholders—including Israel, the Palestinians, their Arab neighbors, and the United States—to act responsibly and commit to UN resolutions.
Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Lavrov said he appreciated the “balanced and neutral stance” of Libyan colleagues, who are fully aware of the situation’s underlying causes.
Lavrov also extended an invitation for Libya to participate in the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for the second half of the year in Moscow, where a new Russia-Africa action plan is expected to be adopted. Additionally, he noted that the 7th meeting of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the foreign ministers’ level will also take place in Russia this year.
❗️ Key outcome: The two sides agreed to open a Russian Consulate General in Benghazi in the very near future, complementing the existing Russian Embassy in Tripoli.
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