Libya To Welcome Russia's Help In Reaching Political Consensus In Country - Parliament

Libya will welcome Russia's assistance in reaching an agreement between the country''s political forces after the termination of operation to liberate the country's capital of Tripoli, Aguila Saleh, the speaker of the Libyan Tobruk-based parliament, told Sputnik on Friday

ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) (UrduPoint news / Sputnik - 12th April, 2019) Libya will welcome Russia's assistance in reaching an agreement between the country''s political forces after the termination of operation to liberate the country's capital of Tripoli, Aguila Saleh, the speaker of the Libyan Tobruk-based parliament, told Sputnik on Friday.

"Russia's policies are based on respect for the sovereignty of other countries. It cooperates with other countries on a partnership basis. Other countries act differently. If Russia has an opportunity or is willing to facilitate an agreement between Libya's political forces after the liberation of Tripoli, we will welcome it," Saleh said, asked about Russia's role in the current situation in Libya.

For years, Libya has been split between two governments: the eastern part of the country is controlled by the parliament elected in 2014 and backed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) that is headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, while the UN-backed Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) governs Libya's western parts.

Last week, Haftar ordered an offensive to retake Tripoli from the GNA-backed forces. The LNA has already recaptured a number of settlements on its way to the capital, including the Tripoli International Airport, located around 20 miles away from the capital. The forces loyal to the GNA announced a counteroffensive on Sunday, dubbed Volcano of Rage, to repel the National Army.