Moscow Reiterates Need for ‘Historic Decision’ to End Libya Conflict

Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala speaks at the Eastern Mediterranean Workshop in Antalya, Turkey on 7 December 2020. [Orhan Çiçek - Anadolu Agency]
Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala speaks at the Eastern Mediterranean Workshop in Antalya, Turkey on 7 December 2020. [Orhan Çiçek - Anadolu Agency]
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Moscow Reiterates Need for ‘Historic Decision’ to End Libya Conflict

Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala speaks at the Eastern Mediterranean Workshop in Antalya, Turkey on 7 December 2020. [Orhan Çiçek - Anadolu Agency]
Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala speaks at the Eastern Mediterranean Workshop in Antalya, Turkey on 7 December 2020. [Orhan Çiçek - Anadolu Agency]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his counterpart in the Government of National Accord (GNA) Mohamed Siala discussed in Moscow on Wednesday the developments in Libya and the prospects of a political settlement.

Lavrov reiterated the need for Libyans to make a historic decision for national reconciliation and building their country, saying Russia is keen on helping Libya resolve its problems.

The Russian FM indicated that he and his Libyan counterpart also discussed the international community’s efforts in supporting Libyans.

Commenting on the role of Cairo, Siala asserted: "The visit of the Egyptian delegation (to Libya) came very late."

He was referring to the visit of Egyptian diplomats and intelligence officials last week.

"I invite the parties who believe that the solution to the Libyan crisis has to be military to reconsider their stances, support the implementation of the peaceful solution, and help end the presence of foreign fighters," Siala said.

He also announced that his country has asked Russia’s help in evacuating foreign fighters from the country.

He also stressed that the GNA is responsible for the security and stability of the capital, Tripoli, saying: "We hope that no party will attempt to inflame the war again in Libya."

In the meantime, GNA’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Omar Maiteeq hailed an agreement by Libyan parties to resort to dialogue in solving the country’s crisis.

Determining a date for the elections is also a significant success, he said.

In an interview with Sputnik, he pointed out that the recent visit of the Egyptian delegation is the first of its kind in more than seven years.

During their meetings, Libyan and Egyptian officials discussed boosting ties, Maiteeq said.



Arab League to Convene Emergency Meeting to Address Israeli Threats Against Iraq

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
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Arab League to Convene Emergency Meeting to Address Israeli Threats Against Iraq

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. (Reuters file photo)

The permanent delegates to the Arab League will convene an extraordinary session on Sunday, chaired by Yemen, in response to a request from Iraq.

Arab League Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Hossam Zaki said on Saturday that the meeting will focus on a memo from the UN Security Council president, which contains the Israeli occupation's claims of increased attacks from Iraqi territory since September, SPA reported.

"The General Secretariat of the Arab League received Iraq's request to hold an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council.”

“The request was circulated among member states for consultation, and it was agreed to hold the meeting tomorrow at the General Secretariat," Zaki said, adding that several Arab countries have expressed support for Iraq's initiative.