Russia is not a mediator but a "proactive" negotiator in the Libyan crisis, the country's UN envoy said on Tuesday.
Libya has been rocked by clashes between the opposition and forces loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi since mid-February.
"Russia's role is proactive, but is not directly linked to Tripoli or Benghazi," Vitaly Churkin said during a televised conference at RIA Novosti.
Churkin said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said earlier on Tuesday that Russia had no intention of mediating in the conflict between the Libyan authorities and the Benghazi-based opposition in eastern Libya.
He said Moscow nevertheless supported the efforts of the UN and the African Union to bring an end to the Libyan crisis.
MOSCOW, May 17 (RIA Novosti)
