Russia has confirmed its interest in strengthening energy cooperation with Libya and resumed the activities of the Joint Governmental Committee, targeting a bigger share in energy projects in the North African country, The Libya Observer reported on January 17. 

Russian companies, including Gazprom and Tatneft, have previously been involved in oil and gas exploration and development projects in Libya.

The development comes on the back of a meeting between Russia's Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin and Libyan Ambassador Amhamed Al-Maghrawi to discuss bilateral trade and economic, scientific, and technical collaboration. Plans are underway to organise a meeting between the heads of the Joint Committee: Russia’s Energy Minister and Libya’s Minister of Transport, Mohammed Al-Shahoubi.

It also comes as the head of Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC), Farhat Bengdara, has resigned citing health issues, Reuters reported on January 17. Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, head of the Government of National Unity, has appointed Masoud Sulaiman as acting chief.

Sorokin said that the Russian companies remain interested in energy projects in Libya and consider the country a promising African partner.

Russian companies have earlier shown interest in participating in the reconstruction of Libya’s infrastructure, including railways, power plants, and housing projects.

Arab Defence wrote earlier in January that Russia was constructing a large military base in southern Libya near the borders of Sudan and Chad and tranferring equipment from Syria, from where Russia had for years staged its Africa operations, following the ouster of the Assad government.

The base is located close to the Kouri Bougoudi region in Chad, which is known for its rich gold resources. The development reflects Moscow's broader intent to cement its influence in North Africa amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The Russian military presence in Libya includes military assets and personnel previously linked to the Russian private military company Wagner Group, now a part of the Africa Corps under the Ministry of Defence.