It is important to ensure the cessation of hostilities and stabilization of the situation in Libya, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at talks in Moscow with Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.
"Russia has always supported the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. We consider this an important factor and hope that it will ensure a peaceful resolution of the long-standing conflict based on the participation of all constructive political forces interested in strengthening the Libyan state," Mishustin said. - "The main thing is to ensure the cessation of hostilities today, to stabilize the security situation".
"We are absolutely interested in constructive cooperation with the government of national unity headed by you, we are ready for active work through our ministries and agencies," the Russian Prime Minister told his Libyan counterpart.
At the beginning of the conversation, Mishustin congratulated his colleague on the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims with a phrase in Arabic, "Ramadan mubarak." He invited Dbeibeh to discuss issues of trade and economic cooperation that require the joint attention of the two governments. Mishustin pointed out that Russia is ready to continue cooperation with Libya in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, and is generally interested in increasing humanitarian ties and cooperation in culture and art.
Libyan settlement
Dbeibeh also thanked Russia for its clear position on the Libyan settlement.
"Russia's position [on the Libyan settlement] has been clear and understandable from the beginning and was based on the well-known principles - the need to stop the fighting, establish a cease-fire and reach an agreement between all the opposing forces. This position is commendable," the Libyan Prime Minister stressed.
Dbeibeh also added that Russia has all possibilities, including a significant position in the international arena and tools of influence on international and regional players, in order to continue to help stabilize the situation in Libya.
Situation in Libya
Libya has long had two parallel executive authorities - the Government of National Accord (GNA) of Fayez Sarraj in Tripoli and the interim government supported by the Libyan National Army of Khalifa Haftar and the parliament in the east of the country. Armed formations of the warring parties fought protracted battles, and in the spring of 2019, Haftar, whose headquarters is in Benghazi, launched an offensive against the capital. The GNA responded by mobilizing its supporters, including the most combat-ready Misrata brigades, and also sought support from Turkey.
In early February this year, following negotiations that began last year on various tracks, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum elected Libya's Prime Minister Dbeibeh and three members of the Presidential Council in Switzerland. Both were sworn in on 15 March and have already assumed their duties in Tripoli. Their main task will be to unify the fragmented power structures across the country and to prepare and conduct the Libyan presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 December.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS