Russia Says U.N. Must Play 'Leading Role' in Post-Gadhafi Libya

Russia stressed on Thursday it was important that the U.N. Security Council play a "leading role" in post-Gadhafi Libya as the six-month rebellion against its old ally appeared to be drawing to an end.

The Russian foreign ministry said Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon had earlier in the day discussed global assistance to Libya's transition following the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi.

"The importance of the U.N. Security Council playing a leading role in this process has been stressed by the Russian side," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russia, which has traditionally had close ties to Gadhafi, has not rushed to recognize the new regime, with President Dmitry Medvedev saying the Kremlin would recognize the Libyan rebels if they "unite the country."

Medvedev warned Wednesday that the Kremlin's old ally Gadhafi still retained influence in the North African country.