Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that Russia is planning to open a naval base in Tobruk in Libya.

The UK has made clear our apprehension towards Russia's destabilising activity in North Africa. We are concerned about open-source reports that Russia has plans to establish a naval base in eastern Libya, which will strengthen Russian influence in the central Mediterranean. The Ministry of Defence continues to maintain thorough assessments of the threats to stability and security across the North Africa region including Libya. The Government is also committed to working with the international community in support for peace and stability in the region.