In Ankara, Turkey, Russia declare coordination for Libya truce
Russia and Turkey have agreed to work harder for a sustainable ceasefire in Libya in coordination with the United Nations.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday in Ankara, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the two countries would continue joint efforts to create “conditions for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire.”
Ankara and Moscow also agreed to facilitate the “advancement of the intra-Libyan political dialogue” in line with the 2020 Berlin Conference on Libya.
In January, a conference took place in the German capital in order to start a political process and reach a permanent ceasefire in Libya.
Several countries expressed commitment to support the truce, respect an arms embargo and support the UN-facilitated political process.
Elsewhere in the statement, the two countries called on the Libyan parties to take measures for the “safe humanitarian access and delivery of urgent assistance to all those in need.”
Turkey and Russia would also consider creating a ‘Joint Working Group on Libya.’
There has been an international call for de-escalation in Libya through the removal of foreign forces.
A big escalation could risk igniting a direct conflict among the foreign powers that have poured in weapons and fighters in violation of the arms embargo.
The Government of National Accord (GNA), which is backed by the UN, in Tripoli has the support of Turkey, while renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) based in Benghazi is supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
On Monday, the Egyptian Parliament unanimously approved the deployment of troops outside the country, laying the groundwork for a possible military intervention in Libya.
The move could bring Egypt and Turkey, both allies of the United States, into direct confrontation.
Tensions escalated further last year after the LNA moved toward Tripoli to seize the city.
Libya has been beset by chaos since the overthrow and killing of its long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi following a NATO intervention in 2011.
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