Turkey, Italy hope for ‘lasting’ truce in Libya

Talks between Libya's warring parties in Moscow, supported by Turkish and Russian officials, are going positively, President Tayyip Erdoğan said on Jan. 13, adding that Ankara was working to ensure the truce became permanent.

Turkey and Italy have been working together for a permanent ceasefire between Libya's combating sides, the Turkish president said on Jan. 13.

"I wish to sign a Libya ceasefire agreement soon. We deem the efforts of Italy important. We have been making efforts for the ceasefire to be lasting," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the presidential complex in Ankara.

"I have just been informed that the negotiations [in Moscow] are continuing in a positive direction," he added.

He also said that the two countries will be at the Berlin Process to find a durable solution to the Libya crisis.

The visiting prime minister also hoped that the ceasefire in Libya will pave way for an important opportunity.

"We, especially with Turkey, have been involved in the Berlin Conference under the auspices of the United Nations for a solution," Conte said.

He also said that Italy will oppose any conditioning acts and interventions against the sovereignty of Libya.

"We have been looking at the situation in Syria and Iraq too. The Middle East problem blocks the whole world. It affects stability seriously. What we should do is to intensify diplomatic efforts," added Conte.

Libya's rival leaders are holding peace talks in Moscow on Jan. 13 with Russia and Turkey urging the rivals to sign a binding truce to end a nine-month-old war and pave the way for a settlement that would stabilize the North African country.

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