Turkish Foreign Minister Says Final Ceasefire In Libya Depends On Haftar

Turkish Foreign Minister Says Final Ceasefire in Libya Depends on Haftar

Ceasefire in Libya depends on Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army, as Government of National Accord (GNA) has already agreed to the truce, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters at Davos

DAVOS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2020) Ceasefire in Libya depends on Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army, as Government of National Accord (GNA) has already agreed to the truce, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters at Davos.

In early January, Libya's rival powers attended a conference in Moscow, mediated by Russia and Turkey. However, Haftar asked for extra time before signing the ceasefire agreement.

"It depends on Haftar. [GNA Prime Minister Fayez] Sarraj has already committed, and also signed the joint ceasefire statement in Moscow. Sarraj side is committed and it was not difficult for us to convince them. But Haftar has not yet, so it depends on him," Cavusoglu said.

Ankara is working with Russia, the United States, European countries, as well as Libya's neighbors and other relevant actors on this issue, the Turkish foreign minister said, adding that "the US has to be more active."

Cavusoglu said Tuesday that Ankara would continue supporting the ceasefire in Libya.

On Sunday, Germany hosted an international conference in Berlin with the participation of a number of countries and organizations, including Russia, Turkey, Egypt, the United States, the European Union and the African Union. The participants called on the United Nations to facilitate ceasefire talks and urged the Security Council to impose sanctions on those who would breach the truce agreement.

Meetings in Moscow and Berlin came as a response to tensions that escalated in Libya last year amid LNA's operation to retake Tripoli where GNA is seated.