Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone discussed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel issues related to the international conference on Libya, which will be held in Berlin on January 19, the Kremlin’s press service reports.
Earlier it became known that Putin will take part in this conference.
“On the initiative of the German side, a telephone conversation took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel. Various aspects related to the international conference on Libya, which is being held in Berlin on January 19, were discussed”, – the statement said.
The conference will be held on January 19 in Berlin. The event will also be attended by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, an invitation was received by the head of the GNA Fayez Sarraj, commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar, representatives of the United States, Britain, Egypt, the UN and the EU.
In Moscow on Monday, negotiations were held between the ministers of foreign affairs, the defense of Russia and Turkey with representatives of the warring parties of Libya. Discussions lasted six hours, but an armistice agreement was never signed. Haftar left Moscow, taking a pause. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the main result of the talks on Libya in Moscow was the achievement of agreement between the parties on the indefinite continuation of the cessation of hostilities.
Last week, the presidents of Russia and Turkey agreed on a common position on Libya and called on all parties to cease fire from 0.00 January 12 and immediately sit at the negotiating table. However, the commander of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, said that he welcomed this initiative, but would continue the offensive on Tripoli, which has been ongoing since April last year. In turn, the head of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord of Libya, Fayez Sarraj, said during his visit to Italy that he welcomed the ceasefire initiative, but subject to the withdrawal of LNA units.