Russia Invites Libya's New Government Officials to Moscow for Energy Talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday said Russia had invited members of Libya's transitional government to Moscow for energy talks, the Interfax news agency reported.

"They suggested holding meetings. We invited representatives to Moscow on their request. We will discuss all this with them," Lavrov was quoted as telling journalists at a regional summit in Dushanbe.

Libyan officials had asked to discuss future Russian energy projects, Lavrov was quoted as saying.

Russia on Thursday recognized the rebels who ousted its old ally Moammar Gadhafi as the legitimate rulers of Libya, three months after some Western states.

Moscow had abstained from the U.N. resolution on a no fly-zone in Libya at the outset of the conflict, effectively allowing the Western military action against Gadhafi to go ahead.

But it then appeared increasingly disgruntled and repeatedly accused the West of siding with the rebels in a civil war.