Representatives of the Russian and Turkish defence ministries met and discussed the recent statements made by rival political forces in Libya. Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh, and the Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj announced an agreement for a ceasefire and an end of hostilities nationwide.
The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, while Turkey’s delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister, Sedat Onal.
According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry issued on Tuesday, the two sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to assist in the establishment of an inter-Libyan political solution, with the participation of all political forces and organisations.
They also stressed the need for “a significant and effective role by the UN in the implementation of the outputs of the Berlin Conference. As well as the appointment of a new UN Special Envoy for Libya,” the statement added.
On the 21st of August, the GNA announced a ceasefire across the oil-rich country, and called for demilitarising the strategic city of Sirte, which is an initiative supported by Saleh. Al-Sarraj said that an effective ceasefire requires “the demilitarisation of Sirte and Al-Jufrah, and that police forces from the two sides agree on security arrangements there.”