KIEV (AFP) — Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday in a regional tour, focussed on energy and military cooperation, that has already seen him pitch tent in Russia and Belarus.
Libya is keen to discuss possible purchases of armoured vehicles and air defence systems from Ukraine, said the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential administration, Andri Gontsharuk, at the start of the three-day visit.
In turn, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko hopes to extract oil in Libya, part of efforts by this former Soviet republic to reduce its dependence on more powerful neighbour Russia for energy supplies.
The two sides are also to discuss the planned sale by Ukraine of three transport aircraft to Libya, a project delayed by economic difficulties affecting the factory concerned.
Kadhafi's visit reflects a drive by both countries to forge new ties around the world, as Libya has come out of international isolation and the pro-Western Ukrainian leader seeks to escape Russia's shadow.
Yushchenko visited the north African state in April and his wife was received by Kadhafi last week in her capacity as head of an international charity, according to the official Libyan news agency Jana.
Kadhafi was in Ukraine after pitching his Bedouin tent in the grounds of Moscow's Kremlin and later on the outskirts of the Belarussian capital, his habitual style of foreign travel.
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