Libya conflict: Turkey and Russia call for ceasefire

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the opening ceremony of the Turkstream Gas Pipeline Project on January 08, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey — Image caption Russia denies Turkey's claims that it has mercenaries in Libya

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have called for a ceasefire to end the conflict in Libya.

The two leaders are seen to back rival sides in a conflict dragging in an increasing number of states.

After talks in Istanbul, Mr Erdogan and Mr Putin said the ceasefire should come into force at midnight on Sunday.

The call came amid a warning by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of a Syrian-style civil war in Libya.

Last week, Turkey sent troops to the North African state to bolster the embattled UN-backed government. Turkey accuses Russia of having about 2,500 mercenaries in Libya to support the UN-backed administration's main rival, Gen Khalifar Haftar. Russia denies the allegation.

Libya is strategically important, having the largest oil reserves in Africa. It is located along the Mediterranean coast, and a gateway to Europe for African migrants. Previous efforts to end hostilities and unite the nation have failed, and it is unclear whether the latest initiative will succeed.

'Proxy wars'

Gen Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) said on Monday that its forces had captured the coastal city of Sirte, which is near Libya's "oil crescent". There have also been reports of clashes and air strikes on the road between Sirte and the city of Misrata, which is controlled by troops loyal to the UN-backed government.

Image copyright Reuters

Image caption Libya has been torn by violence since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in 2011

In another sign of the diplomatic push for a ceasefire, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte met Gen Haftar in the Italian city of Milan. He was due to meet Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj later on Wednesday, an Italian government source was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.

Mr Serraj was earlier in the European Union (EU) capital, Brussels, for talks with Mr Maas and EU officials.

"We want to avoid Libya becoming the scene of proxy wars," Mr Maas said. "Libya cannot become a second Syria and so we need rapidly to enter a political process, an agreement on an effective ceasefire and an arms embargo," he added.

Mr Serraj has the backing of Turkey, the Qatar and most Western powers, while Gen Haftar's key allies are Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Russia. Gen Haftar's forces have also waged a months-long offensive to capture the capital, Tripoli, but have so far failed to take it.

Libya currently has rival administrations: the UN-backed government in Tripoli, and the Gen Haftar-backed government in the eastern city of Tobruk.

Libya first descended into conflict after the overthrow and killing of long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, as rival faction jostled for power.