Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has expressed Moscow’s support for the initiative of the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso to organize a conference on Libya’s national reconciliation.
Lavrov said Russia will “help put this initiative into practice.” He also praised the role of the Congo in settling crises in Africa, and for holding a conference bringing together all parties of the Libyan conflict.
“I want to emphasize the role of the President of the Republic of the Congo as Chairperson of the African Union High-Level Committee on Libya,” Lavrov said during a joint press conference held in the capital, Brazzaville.
He added that President Nguesso had participated in plans to organize a comprehensive Libyan conference on national reconciliation in the near future, to which all active players in Libya would be invited, without exception.
In preparations for this conference, the Russian FM said that Nguesso is considering extending invitations to external actors, including the Russian Federation. “We will actively assist in the organization of this important forum,” he added.
Lavrov criticized attempts made so far by some European countries and even by the United Nations Secretariat, “which ignored the focus on making this process inclusive of all Libyans.”
Notably, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat called on Libya’s warring parties “to silence their guns and to refrain from all forms of violence.”
The AU said in a statement on Saturday, that Mahamat “is following with deep concern, the recent developments of insecurity in Tripoli.” He deplored the loss of life resulting from recent clashes between rival armed groups, and emphasized that the security of civilians is an obligation under International Humanitarian Law.
Mahamat reiterated the continued commitment of the African Union to support the peace process in Libya through its roadmap for reconciliation. The AU Ad Hoc High-Level Committee on Libya chairs a reconciliation committee, which is led by President Nguesso.
He urged all political actors to redouble their efforts towards finding amicable solutions to the current crisis. As well as urging them to respect the yearnings of the Libyan people for peace, and to place the interest of Libya and the Libyan people, above all.