Libya’s Kadhafi to talk arms, nuclear power with Russian leaders

Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi was due to discuss arms purchases and nuclear energy with his Russian counterparts Saturday after setting up his traditional Bedouin tent in the Kremlin for a landmark visit.

Kadhafi was scheduled to meet President Dmitry Medvedev at 0900 GMT and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin later at 1400 GMT, after arriving Friday on his first visit to Moscow since Cold War days in 1985.

The north African leader may sign a pact on Russian-Libyan nuclear energy cooperation, the Vedomosti newspaper reported Saturday, citing a source involved in preparations for the visit.

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The source did not give details but Russia has reportedly been in talks to build a nuclear power plant in Libya.

Other expected topics include a multi-billion-dollar deal to upgrade Libya’s Soviet-era arsenal and lucrative contracts for Russian firms.

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Libya might also offer to host a Russian naval base at the Mediterranean port of Benghazi, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported Friday.