Moscow, May 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russia has lifted an embargo on the arms supplies to Libya, according to an official legal information portal.

Dmitry Medvedev, the outgoing president, signed the decree May 6.

Russia joined the arms sanctions against Libya, suspending all contracts for the supply of military hardware to the country in 2011, when the north African nation was torn by a civil war, which brought an end to 40-year-old Muammar Gaddafi regime.

At least 30,000 Libyans were killed in the civil war, including Gaddafi, who was shot dead by rebels in his hometown of Sirte in October 2011.

Last March, Medvedev had signed a decree to ban the arms supplies to Libya, which was in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1970.

Rosoboronexport head Anatoly Isaikin said last year Russia's state-run arms exporter had lost a total of $4 billion over the cancellation of contracts with Libya and will resume talks with Libyan authorities as soon as the embargo is lifted.