"They suggested holding meetings. We invited representatives to Moscow on their request. We will discuss all this with them," Lavrov was quoted as telling journalists at a regional summit in Dushanbe.

Libyan officials had asked to discuss future Russian energy projects, Lavrov was quoted as saying.

Russia on Thursday recognised the rebels who ousted its old ally Moamer Qadhafi as the legitimate rulers of Libya, three months after some Western states.

Moscow had abstained from the UN resolution on a no fly-zone in Libya at the outset of the conflict, effectively allowing the Western military action against Qadhafi to go ahead.

But it then appeared increasingly disgruntled and repeatedly accused the West of siding with the rebels in a civil war.