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 talks.
Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have both welcome an announcement that warring factions in Libya have agreed to resume ceasefire negotiations.
It is reported that in recent years, Egypt and the UAE have been the most prominent backers of eastern-based renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, who has been waging an offensive to take control of the capital, Tripoli, since April 2019.
The joint statement by the Egyptian and Emirati foreign ministries “called for parties to fully commit to the political process under the auspices of the UN and the Berlin conference”.
Earlier today Wednesday, Russia’s RIA news agency said several senior Libyan officials, including deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Maetig, arrived in Moscow ahead of talks in which Russia has emerged as a key actor in the Libyan conflict.
Report has it that Russian private military contractor Wagner Group deployed about 1,200 mercenaries to Libya to strengthen Haftar’s forces in which they have been identified by their equipment, typically reserved for Russia’s armed forces. Africa-News reports.