On Thursday, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Vershinin met with the Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis ahead of the Paris Conference on Libya.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two officials held a detailed discussion on the current situation in Libya, and the political settlement process on the eve of the international conference in Paris. A special focus was placed on maintaining stability on the ground.
“The two sides also discussed holding elections in Libya on 24 December and continuing effective assistance from the United Nations,” the statement noted.
The Paris conference will be held with the participation of representatives of the Libyan government, and the attendees of the Berlin Conferences. The countries neighbouring Libya are also invited to this event.
According to the Russia Embassy in Paris, Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov will be participating in the international conference. “Lavrov will head the Russian delegation at an international conference on Libya in Paris on November 12,” TASS news agency quoted an embassy official as saying.
Notably, the Russia President’s Special Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov said Moscow believes that Libya’s upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections are the basis for stabilizing the situation in the country.
He added that the main dilemma facing the Libyan parties is the removal of all foreign forces, without exception.
In an interview with Russia Today news channel, Bogdanov said Russia will support the statement that will be adopted by the Paris Conference on Libya.
Libyan Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, and Head of Libya’s Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Mnifi will also participate at the conference.
The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Marina Sereni confirmed that the summit will be held under joint Italian-German-French presidency. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and US Vice President, Kamala Harris have both confirmed their attendance.
This comes ahead of planned Presidential elections, which are scheduled for 24 December, as part of the political roadmap agreed to in the United Nations-led peace process.