Libya's UN-backed government welcomes ceasefire, but doubts cooperation from rival government
Libya's Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj, left, holds a joint press conference with Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte after their meeting at Chigi palace, in Rome, January 11, 2020.
The meeting was the latest diplomatic effort to end the offensive launched by Serraj’s rival in eastern Libya, General Khalifa Haftar, and return the two sides to a UN-supported political process. “We welcome with pleasure the Russian and Turkish initiative that points to a ceasefire, as we are always open to and welcome any initiative that goes in this direction,” Serraj said in comments after meeting with Conte.
The east-based government, backed by Haftar's forces, is supported by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as France and Russia. The western, Tripoli-based government receives aid from Turkey, Qatar and Italy. Serraj appeared to defend Turkey's decision to deploy troops to bolster his forces, saying his government was “forced to take part in these bellicose activities which we consider a right to defend the capital."
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