Russia signs €1.2bn arms deal with Libya

Russia has signed an arms deal with Libya worth €1.2bn, according to reports today.

State-run news agencies ITAR-Tass and RIA Novosti said Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced the contract at a meeting with the head of arms manufacturer Izhmash, which makes assault rifles, machine guns and other weapons.

According to the reports, Putin said the contract was “not only for small arms and light weapons,” although no further details were released.

The contract was said to have been signed on Friday following a visit to Moscow earlier in the week by Libyan defence minister Major General Younis Jaber.

RIA Novosti said Russia already has five active military contracts with Libya.