BENGHAZI, Libya 

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov pledged to enhance the capabilities of the Libyan Eastern Forces led by Khalifa Haftar, a statement said Saturday.

The pledge was made during a meeting between the Russian official and Haftar, who is the general commander of the Libyan Eastern Forces, in Benghazi in eastern Libya, according to a statement released by the Libyan Eastern Forces on Facebook.

Yevkurov, accompanied by a high-level delegation, arrived at the Benina International Airport in Benghazi on Friday, marking his fifth visit to the city since August 2023.

The statement said Yevkurov and his delegation met Haftar in his office in Benghazi.

Haftar welcomed the Rssian delegation, emphasizing the friendly relationship between the two sides and "the importance of developing it in military and economic fields."

Yevkurov highlighted Russia's contribution to enhancing the capabilities of the Libyan Eastern Forces "in areas of training, efficiency improvement, and reinforcing joint cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism," according to the statement.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul