Libyan Leader in Moscow for the First Time in Decades

Qaddafi last visited Moscow in 1985, six years before the Soviet collapse, and three years before the bombing of a Pan Am jetliner over Scotland made a pariah out of Libya and its leader. After 12 years of sanctions, Libya is in need of international investment.

Such priorities may explain why Qaddafi is visiting Russia, RFE/RL's Russian Service states.

Arms purchases are on the agenda for the Libyan leader's three-day visit. Libya was a frequent purchaser of arms during the Soviet era, and may be prepared to spend more than $2 billion on new supplies.

Talks may also focus on plans for Russia to help build a nuclear power plant in Libya.

In return, Russia's "Kommersant" newspaper is reporting, Qaddafi may offer Moscow the possibility of building a naval base at the Libyan port city of Benghazi. The paper said such a move would be a "guarantee of nonaggression against Libya from the United States."

Russia's Foreign Ministry has described Libya as sharing Moscow's position on the importance of a multipolar world and opposition to U.S. dominance.

But not all is rosy between the two capitals. Qaddafi has angered Moscow by refusing to join the "natural-gas OPEC" proposed by Russia and Qatar. He has also failed to honor some of the contracts signed as part of the Libyan debt-cancellation scheme.

The Libyan leader may make up for some of that during his arms-shopping excursion, during which he is expected to pick up fighter planes, tanks, and air-defense systems. Qaddafi is expected to visit Ukraine and Belarus following his visit to Russia.

Author: Ksenia Kochneva