Egypt steps into Libya's peace talks in Morocco
Egypt is getting involved in negotiations between Libyan rivals, now taking place in Moroccan capital Rabat.
The negotiations aim at reaching a settlement to the
Libyan crisis.
Egypt calls for finding a political settlement to the
crisis, one that protects Libya's unity and fulfils the aspirations of the
Libyan people.
Russia is calling, meanwhile, on Libya's rivals to
totally suspend fighting on all sides.
Cairo getting involved
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed latest
developments on the Libyan scene with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita
in talks over the phone recently.
Shoukry told the Moroccan foreign minister that Egypt
hopes Libya's rivals can reached a unanimous settlement that preserves Libya's
unity and fulfils the aspirations of its people.
Cairo, he said, also hopes there can be a settlement that
opens the door for the eradication of terrorism and the suspension of foreign
interference in Libyan affairs.
He described this foreign interference as
"destructive".
Shoukry also called for maintaining Libya's ongoing
ceasefire and moving ahead on the road of settling the Libyan conflict in a
comprehensive manner.
The two ministers agreed to maintain consultations and
intensify contacts with influential parties on the Libyan stage as well as
international partners, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and the
African Union.
Russian proposal
Russia called, meanwhile, on Libya's rivals to abide by a
full and unconditional ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said his country
had backed all initiatives aiming at calming down tensions in Libya.
He refuted Turkish claims that Russia had sent arms and
fighters to Libya.
These accusations were made several times in the past,
Lavrov said. However, nobody could present proof to back them.
He said Moscow had been trying to find a peaceful
settlement to the conflict in Libya from the very beginning.
He added that western countries had started backing the Russian
view on Libya.
Most importantly, Libyan parties started backing this
view as well, Lavrov said.
