Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday appealed Libya’s warring parties to come to a ceasefire, reported Reuters.
Turkey supports the Tripoli-based internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Serraj, and has said it will deploy military troops to reinforce its support, while Russian military contractors have been deployed in support for General Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).
After talks between Erdogan and Putin in Istanbul, the two countries jointly called for an end of hostilities, normalization of life in Tripoli and other cities, and U.N.-sponsored peace talks. The United Nations has been leading efforts for months to pave the way for a ceasefire, but, unfortunately, has not made any progress.
“We have decided to take the initiative and, as intermediaries, call on all parties in Libya to stop hostilities as of 00.00 hours on 12 January, declare a sustainable ceasefire, supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation on the ground and normalizing daily life in Tripoli and other cities,” the joint statement read.
The statement said that the ongoing conflict is a big threat to regional security and has led to irregular migration, further spread of weapons, terrorism and other criminal activities including illicit trafficking.
In another sign of the diplomatic push for a ceasefire, Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, hosted Fayez al-Sarraj and General Khalifa Haftar in a summit in Rome. But, the meeting was reportedly scrapped as Sarraj refused to meet Conte because the Italian prime minister had previously met his rival, Haftar.
Meanwhile, European leaders warned Sarraj on Wednesday against allowing Turkish troops to be deployed in Libyan or agreeing to a natural gas deal with Turkey. They pressed Serraj to work for a ceasefire.
