The U.S. State Department has voiced concern regarding reports of Russian naval vessels offloading military equipment in Libya. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, in a statement to American Al Hurra news network, highlighted the significance of this development.
Miller noted that this action follows a five-year period during which Russian mercenaries have been operating in Libya, contributing to regional instability. He stated that Russia has been transparent about its intentions to strengthen its position in Libya, potentially using it as a staging ground for further operations in the Sahel region.
According to Miller, recent media reports suggest the presence of approximately 1,800 personnel affiliated with a Kremlin-supported force currently in Libya.
The U.S. official reaffirmed his country’s commitment to respecting Libyan sovereignty and supporting the United Nations-facilitated dialogue process. Miller emphasized that the U.S. continues to advocate for Libya’s unification through exclusively political means.