 This was part of an effort to improve relations between Russia and the Libyan GNA, as currently their rivals, the House of Representatives and Marshal Khalifa Haftar, have close relations with the country.During a press conference in Algiers on 9 May 2017, Siala named Marshal Haftar as the commander-in-chief of the Libyan army, then clarified that the GNA would give him that position if he recognizes the UN-supported government.Siala met with a delegation of Estonian members of parliament on 2 November 2017, led by former Estonian foreign minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus.