Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte discussed the situation in Belarus and Libya in a telephone conversation, the Kremlin's press service reports. The conversation was initiated by the Italian side.
"During the exchange of opinions on the situation that is unfolding in Belarus after the presidential election, the Russian President stressed the utter futility of any attempts to interfere in Belarus's internal affairs or to put pressure on the country's leadership. There was an understanding that preventing an escalation of any kind is most important," the message reads.
Regarding the crisis in Libya, it was pointed out that there is no military solution to it and the crisis can only be resolved by political and diplomatic means, the press service added. The need to resume the intra-Libyan dialogue as soon as possible was noted too.
Working on a vaccine
Putin and Conte agreed to step up cooperation in countering the spread of the coronavirus infection, including working on vaccines to prevent it.
"While discussing current issues of Russian-Italian relations, the parties agreed, in particular, to boost cooperation in countering the coronavirus infection, including the development of vaccines to prevent this disease," the message reads.
Russia in early August was the first in the world to register a vaccine against the coronavirus, it was named Sputnik V. The drug was developed by the Gamalei National research center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and passed clinical trials in June and July. About 20 countries have already shown interest in the vaccine.
In total, more than 160 vaccines are being developed worldwide, of which more than 30 are in human clinical trials.
Situation in Belarus
Presidential elections were held in Belarus on August 9. According to official data of the CEC, Alexander Lukashenko won the elections with 80.10% of the vote. Second place went to Svetlana Tikhanovski with 10.12%. Against this background, mass protests of those who disagree with the results of the vote began in the country.
In the early days, these actions were accompanied by clashes with law enforcement officers. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, several thousand people were detained, and dozens of law enforcement officers and protesters were injured. Later, the authorities recognized the death of four people, but according to the investigative authorities, only one of them died directly during the protests. The opposition insists that at least six people were killed.
On Wednesday, Svetlana Alexievich, a member of the Presidium of the Coordinating Council and a Nobel laureate in literature, said that the Belarusian opposition needs help from the world community and Russia.
Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have discussed the situation in the Republic several times. In addition, the Russian leader discussed the situation in Belarus with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and head of the European Council Charles Michel.
The situation in Libya
In Libya, for several years, there have been two parallel bodies of Executive power - the Government of National Accord (GNA) of Faiz Sarraj in Tripoli and field Marshal Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) - backed Parliament and interim Cabinet in the East of the country. In the spring of 2019, Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli, the capital's Cabinet appealed for support from Turkey, with which its formations managed to regain some of the previously lost territories.
On August 21, the GNA announced an "immediate cease-fire" and the suspension of all military operations. The statement noted that in order to implement the truce, it is necessary to create a demilitarized zone in the strategically important Sirte and al-Jufra region. The house of representatives (the elected permanent Parliament based in Tobruk in Eastern Libya) supported the initiative, calling for the withdrawal of all foreign formations from the territory of Libya, as well as for the resumption of oil production.
Since August 23, protests have been held in the central squares and streets of Tripoli, where participants express dissatisfaction with the actions of the Government of National Accord, the deterioration of the socio-economic situation, the impoverishment of the general population, and rampant corruption.
In response to attempts by demonstrators to storm government buildings, police and security personnel use weapons. It is also reported about the arrests of activists and instigators of riots.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS