Foreign Ministers of Russia and Italy Sergey Lavrov and Luigi Di Mayo discussed the situation in Libya by telephone, emphasized the need to promote inter-Libyan dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The conversation was initiated by the Italian side.
“During the exchange of views on topical issues on the international agenda, special attention was paid to stabilizing the situation in Libya. Both sides emphasized the need for maximum coordination of efforts to internationally accompany the Libyan peace process while maintaining the central role of the UN”, – the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“The Ministers agreed on the need to concentrate efforts on promoting dialogue between the Libyan parties, taking into account the interests of Libyan neighbors and other countries in the region”, – the Ministry emphasized.
The Foreign Ministers of Russia and Italy also discussed a number of issues on the bilateral agenda.
After the overthrow and assassination of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya virtually ceased to function as a single state. Dual power reigns in the country now. The Parliament elected by the people sits in the east, and in the west, in the capital Tripoli, the Government of National Accord, led by Sarraj, rules with the support of the UN and the European Union.
The authorities of the eastern part of the country operate independently of Tripoli and collaborate with the Libyan National Army, led by Khalifa Haftar, who has not stopped trying to capture Tripoli since April this year.