Russia is targeting sales of its latest weapons systems to Libya, a former client "under new management", according to UPI.
But the report suggests it is going to encounter tough competition from the Americans, British and French who helped rebel forces topple Ghadhafi, and who also want to sell his successors big-ticket weaponry.
France's Dassault Aviation, for instance, is pushing its Rafale multi-role combat jet (pictured) which played a big role in Gadhafi's defeat.
Even before Gadhafi's demise, Russia wrote off Libya's $4.5 billion Soviet-era debt and had contracts to upgrade Libyan missile, armoured and air forces.
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan [Zidan] will shortly ask the U.N. Security Council to lift the arms embargo imposed in 2011.
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Monday that Moscow had reservations about that, given the Tripoli government's lack of authority and multiple security threats but he said Russia was ready to help the new Libya "facilitate the possible acquisition of arms."
(Source: UPI)
(Picture: French Dassault Aviation Rafale jet)
