Libya Gives Green Light to Russian Consulate in Benghazi

Tripoli has cleared the way for Russia to reopen its consulate general in Benghazi, Ambassador Aydar Aganin has said. A few official steps still remain.

Libya has approved the return of the Russian consulate in Benghazi. Russia’s ambassador to the country, Aydar Aganin, confirmed the news.

Russian Consulate in Benghazi Gets Libyan Approval

The Libyan government has agreed to let the Russian consulate general in Benghazi start working again. The ambassador said the decision came earlier this year.

“We received the approval of the Libyan government in June, and we are now working to complete the necessary procedures,” the diplomat said.

More Steps Still Ahead

Aganin explained that a government decree is needed to open the consulate. Several extra official procedures must also be completed. These steps are harder and take longer than the ones used to open the Russian House.

Lavrov Announced the Plan in April

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks in April with Taher Baour. Baour is the acting head of the foreign ministry in Libya’s Government of National Unity. After the talks, Lavrov said the Russian consulate in Benghazi would resume work. He added that it closed in 1993.