Russia’s top diplomat moved to assure his Libyan counterpart on Thursday that Moscow supports the withdrawal of all foreign fighters from its borders.
After talks with Najla Mangoush, foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference in Moscow that the Libyan leadership was “forming a consultative mechanism… to formulate the concrete parameters” under which foreign forces will leave.
Libya has been wracked by conflict since a NATO-backed uprising toppled dictator Moammar Gaddafi in 2011, splitting the country between a UN-supported government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities loyal to commander Khalifa Hifter in the east.
In April 2019, Hifter launched a military offensive to capture the capital, backed by Egypt, the UAE, Russia and France, while his rivals had the support of Turkey, Qatar and Italy.
The march on Tripoli ultimately failed in June 2020. Subsequent UN-sponsored peace talks brought about a ceasefire and installed an interim government expected to lead until general elections take place in December.
Last winter, the UN estimated there were at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, including Syrians, Russians, Sudanese nationals and Chadians.
Last month, UN Special Envoy to Libya Jan Kubis said that factions starting the withdrawal of all foreign fighters from the country would be a major step for Libya. “We will be prepared to constructively take part in this work alongside other countries,” Lavrov said.
The Libyan foreign minister said her government considers the issue of withdrawing foreign fighters “important” and “a priority,” but stressed it should be done gradually and “in a synchronized manner.”
“Working out implementation mechanisms is necessary,” Mangoush said. “Such decisions are aimed to avoid repeating [the] negative lessons of some of our neighbours, to avoid an ill-considered withdrawal of troops and to avoid sliding into chaos.”
THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
WATCH THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND KNOW THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO BLAME FOR NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, WHILE CITIZENS ENDURE SEVERE HARDSHIPS.Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi
The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.
Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.
#9NewsNigeria #Nigeria #issuesInTheNews #politics #tinubu THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED ...
DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT UPDATES
#9newsnigeria #economia #economy #nigeria #government @9newsng
www.9newsng.com