Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Moscow would welcome efforts by the United States to influence the warring parties in Libya to agree to a ceasefire and launch a political process in the country.
“If the United States succeeds in using its influence on the parties to the Libyan conflict to support the efforts of Russia and other external players who are calling for an immediate ceasefire, I think this will be very positive,” Lavrov said.
Recently, Libya witnessed a sharp military escalation between Government of National Accord (GNA) forces and the Libyan National Army (LNA), which is led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Russia, the United States and other countries have expressed support for the recent Egyptian initiative, dubbed the ‘Cairo Declaration’.
It calls for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of all foreign forces, disarming of militias, and democratic elections. It has been rejected by both the GNA and Turkey.