On November 2, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with Leader of the Great Libyan Revolution Muammar al-Gaddafi who arrived in Minsk on a three-day official visit, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service.
This is the first visit of the Libyan leader to Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko paid an official visit to Libya in 2000.
The distinguished guest was met by the Belarusian leader at the National Airport in Minsk.
The national flags of Belarus and Libya were hoisted to mark the arrival of the Libyan leader. After the national anthems of the two countries were played the distinguished guest received the report of the Commander of the Guard of Honour Company. Alexander Lukashenko and Muammar al-Gaddafi presented the members of the official delegations to each other.
Attending the meeting at the airport were accredited in Belarus ambassadors of the Arab countries. After the official ceremony of the meeting, the president of Belarus and the Leader of the Great Libyan Revolution held talks at the hall of the official delegations at the National Airport of Minsk.
Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the agreements reached with Libya eight years ago remain in force.
The Belarusian Head of State believes that Belarus and Libya have new opportunities to develop bilateral relations.
"I think there are possibilities to outline cooperation areas for advancing our relations," the President of Belarus said.
Alexander Lukashenko said it was a great pleasure for him to receive Muammar al-Gaddafi in Belarus. "I remember our meeting in Libya. I am very glad how your country has been advancing. Libya is a rapidly developing country, we wish you prosperity and wellbeing," the President of Belarus said.
The Libyan leader confirmed the intention to develop cooperation with Belarus. "I am happy to visit Belarus as we had been long waiting for this meeting. We appreciate your principled position and stability. We took note of a considerable breakthrough Belarus had made in its development," the Libyan leader said.
The Libyan leader praised the development of the relations between Libya and Russia, other CIS countries. "The development of your region (the CIS) is highly important for maintaining the global balance of forces," Muammar al-Gaddafi said.
On November 3, Alexander Lukashenko and Muammar al-Gaddafi will hold a face-to-face meeting and then the negotiations in the extended format. The two leaders are expected to sign a set of bilateral documents.