Russia supports proposal for meeting by leaders of all Libyan political forces - Lavrov

ABU DHABI, February 1. /TASS/. Russia supports the United Arab Emirates’ proposal for a meeting by the leaders of Libya’s main political forces - the head of the government of national accord Fayez Sarraj, commander of the Libyan National Army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguilla Saleh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the opening of the fourth session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum. "We urge quick search for political solutions among the parties to the Yemeni conflict and we welcome similar approaches towards Libya. In particular, from the outset we supported the UAE’s initiative for a meeting of Libya’s key figures: Sarraj, Aguilla Saleh and Haftar," Lavrov said. Earlier, the foreign affairs minister in the government of national accord, Mohamed Taha Siala said that preparations for such a meeting were already underway but no date had been set yet. According to a number of sources in Cairo, a number of major issues concerning the country’s political future would be put on the agenda. Discussions will concern the introduction of the post a new head of state and the appointment of an independent candidate enjoying support from all parties, creation of a coalition government, reduction of the number of members of the Presidential Council (Sarraj-led body of power playing the role of the head of state) and the walkout of Haftar’s supporters from it in exchange for his appointment as commander-in-chief of the national armed forces. Read more