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.
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.
