Russian military presence expected to guarantee non-aggression against North African country

MOSCOW - Libyan leader Moamer Gathafi, who visits Moscow Friday for the first time since 1985, will offer to host a Russian naval base in his North African country, a Russian newspaper reported.

"Libya is ready to host a Russian naval military base," the Kommersant reported, citing a source close to the preparations for Gathafi's first visit here since the days of the Soviet Union.

The base could be located at the port of Benghazi, the source said.

"The Russian military presence will be a guarantee of non-aggression against Libya from the United States, which is not in a hurry to embrace Gathafi despite gestures of reconciliation," the …