The UAE and Egypt have welcomed the news that warring sides in Libya have agreed to return to UN peace talks after more than a year of fighting.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry agreed that a political solution that supports peace, security and stability in all parts of Libya was the only way to solve the situation.
"The UAE and Egypt also affirmed that they stand with the Libyan people and all parties calling for calm to save lives of innocent civilians and to achieve stability in Libya, especially with the continuation of humanitarian efforts to combat Covid-19 pandemic," a statement said.
The Emirati and Egyptian foreign ministries “called for parties to fully commit to the political process under the auspices of the United Nations and the Berlin Conference”.
The Berlin Conference in January resulted in efforts to reach a ceasefire but that initiative stalled before this week’s announcement that parties were ready to resume discussions.
For more than a year, the Libyan National Army under Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has been trying to capture the capital from the Government of National Accord headed by Fayez Al Sarraj.
Both leaders are reportedly on their way to talks abroad even as fighting continues.
Mr Al Sarraj was expected in Ankara late last night, Turkish broadcasters reported. His deputy, Ahmed Maiteeq and GNA Foreign Minister Mohamed Siyala earlier arrived in Moscow.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the presence of Russian prisoners in the Libyan capital of Tripoli was the main obstacle to co-operation between the countries.
Meanwhile, Field Marshal Haftar travelled to Egypt to meet defence officials, a source told Reuters
The latest flurry of meetings came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss the situation in Libya.
A State Department readout of the conversation said the pair discussed “steps to reduce violence and advance a negotiated political solution to end the conflict in Libya.”
