Moscow Communicates With All Sides of Libyan Internal Conflict

© AP Photo / Mohammed El-SheikhyIn this March 18, 2015 file photo, Gen. Khalifa Haftar, then Libya's top army chief, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in al-Marj, Libya.
In this March 18, 2015 file photo, Gen. Khalifa Haftar, then Libya's top army chief, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in al-Marj, Libya. - Sputnik International
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Russia will contribute to constructive dialogue between the conflicting parties in Libya, the head of the Russian contact group on intra-Libyan settlement told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Later on Saturday, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army, is expected to arrive in Moscow. He is scheduled to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday.

"Russia always welcomes their dialogue [between Haftar and Prime Minister of Libya's Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj], they have met in Abu Dhabi, they have met recently in France. And given that Russia’s position in this issue is to communicate with all the parties to the conflict, we, in our turn, are too working for the sides to reach an agreement and for Libya to achieve peace," Lev Dengov said.

Libya's Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj of the U.N.-backed government, left, France's President Emmanuel Macron, center, and General Khalifa Hifter of the Egyptian-backed commander of Libya's self-styled national army shake hands listen to France's President Emmanuel Macron after a declaration at the Chateau of the La Celle-Saint-Cloud, west of Paris, France, Tuesday, July 25, 2017. - Sputnik International
'Haftar Is the Clear Winner' After Libyan Rivals Agree to Ceasefire
Dengov reminded that Sarraj had also visited Moscow, stressing that the first contacts between the Libyan prime minister and Russia were established two years ago.

In late July, Sarraj and Haftar met in France, agreeing to stop hostilities in the country and to hold presidential election as soon as possible. However, on Friday, Haftar accused Sarraj and Italy of violating agreements on settlement in the country. Haftar’s statement came shortly after decision of Italy to deploy military ships in Libyan waters upon request of Sarraj with the aim of assisting Libya in the fight against illegal migration.

Libya has been engulfed in civil war since its longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in 2011. The UN-backed Government of National Accord, led by Sarraj, operates in the country's west and is headquartered in Tripoli. The eastern part of the country is governed by its parliament, with headquarters in the city of Tobruk. The parliament is backed by the Libyan National Army headed by Haftar.

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