Libya: Putin accuses Western countries of contributing to the collapse of the state

At the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 29, Vladimir Putin accused Western countries of playing a major role in the destruction of the Libyan state, while acknowledging that domestic policies also contributed to instability. He criticized the consequences of the 2011 military intervention, conducted under NATO command after the UN adopted Resolution 1973, and the violence that followed the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Putin called for the restoration of Libya’s unity and territorial integrity and for presidential and parliamentary elections. He said Russia was prepared to support initiatives aimed at restoring political and socioeconomic stability.