ROME (Sputnik) — The international conference at the ministerial level with the aim to reach an agreement on Libya’s national unity was announced by Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni on December 2.
Earlier on Sunday, parties to the Libyan conflict agreed to sign a deal on December 16 to form a national unity government. The initiator of the Rome conference, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, confirmed that all participants of the talks supported the UN-backed agreement.
"The communique that we issued today calls on all parties to accept an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire in all parts of Libya," Kerry said after the conference.
Libya has been in turmoil since early 2011, when Arab Spring protests led to a civil war and the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. There are two rival governments in the country, one that is internationally recognized and based in Tobruk, and a self-proclaimed government in the former capital of Tripoli.
A UN-brokered dialogue on national reconciliation in Libya has been going on for a year.
Rome Talks Participants Ready to Meet Newly Formed Libyan National Unity Gov't
Participants of the international conference on Libyan settlement are willing to meet the national unity government as soon as it is formed, John Kerry said.
On December 12, parties to the Libyan conflict agreed to sign a deal on December 16 to form a national unity government.
"We, the support group that met here today, committed that when that government is formed, we are prepared to meet with it rapidly in order to begin to lay out the possibilities for what is needed in order to facilitate their capacity to govern."
Kerry added that negotiators expected Libyan parties to proceed with signing the agreement and implementing it.
Libya has been in turmoil since early 2011, when Arab Spring protests led to a civil war and the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. There are two rival governments in the country, one that is internationally recognized and based in Tobruk, and a self-proclaimed government in the former capital of Tripoli.
A UN-brokered dialogue on national reconciliation in Libya has been going on for a year.
