President Dmitry Medvedev has barred Muammar Qaddafi and his family from Russia, the Kremlin said on Monday, in a move that brings Moscow closer in line with Western policy on the Libyan leader. The Kremlin said a decree on March 10 would also prohibit Qaddafi, who has launched a counteroffensive against rebels in control of much of eastern Libya, and his family from conducting financial operations in Russia.
With the unrest in Libya halting billions of dollars in Russian arms, energy and railway deals, political analysts said the Kremlin wanted to make sure it is will be able to deal with any new leadership in Libya.