Gaddafi in Russia for arms talks

The Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi, has said he hopes to increase energy ties with Russia, during his first visit to Moscow since the Soviet era.



Col Gaddafi said closer co-operation between the two major gas and oil producers was "particularly important".

Correspondents say Russia wants Libya to support its plans for a cartel of gas-producing nations, similar to Opec.

It has also been reported that the two countries are negotiating a civilian nuclear co-operation agreement.

Under the deal, Russia would help Libya design, develop and operate nuclear research reactors and provide fuel, Libyan media said.

Libyan Foreign Minister Abdel Rahman Shalgham and state media said Russia's atomic energy agency and the Libyan Committee for Nuclear Energy had already signed the accord, but a spokesman for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said discussions were still under way.