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Libya civil war: Rivals to join major powers in Germany Libya civil war: Rivals to join major powers in Germany
(about 4 hours later)
Libya's warring rival factions are expected to join major powers in Germany in a renewed push to secure a ceasefire to halt the civil war. Delegations from Libya's warring factions have arrived in Germany for an international summit, which is making a renewed push for a ceasefire.
The talks follow the collapse of an earlier truce amid recriminations. The talks - featuring major world powers - follow the collapse of an earlier truce.
The conflict pits powerful General Khalifa Haftar against the UN-backed government in the capital, Tripoli. The conflict pits powerful General Khalifa Haftar against the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
Sunday's summit also aims to extract a pledge from foreign powers to honour a UN arms embargo and to halt any further interference in the conflict. Libyan media loyal to the GNA reported that the two rivals had so far shunned direct talks in Berlin.
On Saturday, forces loyal to Gen Haftar blocked oil exports from major ports - a blow to the country's main source of income. Libya al-Ahrar TV said it had been informed by the GNA that its representatives "refused to sit with or meet Haftar in any of the conference's sessions".
And reports on Sunday suggest the general's forces had shut down pipelines in Libya as the conference got under way. Early preparations for the talks had indicated that the summit was originally due to include only foreign officials, and these sessions have gone ahead.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the aim of the conference was to "stop this jockeying for position". Alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, attendees included Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
"The people of Libya have suffered enough," he said as he arrived on Sunday. "It's time for the country to move forward." The aim is to extract a pledge from foreign delegations that will honour a UN arms embargo and halt any further interference in the conflict.
The meeting is expected to bring the two sides together in Germany's capital Berlin, along with their foreign backers, the UN, and other global powers - including Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The UK prime minister said the aim of the conference was to "stop this jockeying for position".
"The people of Libya have suffered enough," Mr Johnson said as he arrived on Sunday. "It's time for the country to move forward."
"We don't lose hope that dialogue will continue and the conflict will be solved," Mr Putin said on Sunday before meeting the Turkish president on the sidelines of the conference."We don't lose hope that dialogue will continue and the conflict will be solved," Mr Putin said on Sunday before meeting the Turkish president on the sidelines of the conference.
Mr Erdogan, who has recently sent troops in support of the Tripoli government, said before the meeting that Gen Haftar's "aggressive stance must come to an end".Mr Erdogan, who has recently sent troops in support of the Tripoli government, said before the meeting that Gen Haftar's "aggressive stance must come to an end".
On Saturday, forces loyal to Gen Haftar blocked oil exports from major ports - a blow to the country's main source of income.
And reports on Sunday suggest the general's forces had shut down pipelines in Libya as the conference got under way.
What is happening in Libya?What is happening in Libya?
Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted long-time strongman Muammar Gaddafi.Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted long-time strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
Gen Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) controls much of eastern Libya, and last April he launched an offensive against the country's rival Government of National Accord (GNA) in the capital, Tripoli.Gen Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) controls much of eastern Libya, and last April he launched an offensive against the country's rival Government of National Accord (GNA) in the capital, Tripoli.
His forces have so far been unable to take the city, but earlier this month the LNA captured the country's third-biggest city, Sirte.His forces have so far been unable to take the city, but earlier this month the LNA captured the country's third-biggest city, Sirte.
According to the UN, the fighting has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands more from their homes.According to the UN, the fighting has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands more from their homes.
A truce was announced earlier this month between Gen Haftar and the GNA, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj.A truce was announced earlier this month between Gen Haftar and the GNA, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj.
But both sides blame each other for reported breaches of the agreement, and attempts to broker a lasting ceasefire broke down last week at a summit in Moscow.But both sides blame each other for reported breaches of the agreement, and attempts to broker a lasting ceasefire broke down last week at a summit in Moscow.
What about the role of foreign powers?What about the role of foreign powers?
The role of foreign states in the conflict has come into focus in recent months, with Turkey passing a controversial law to deploy troops to help GNA forces in Tripoli.The role of foreign states in the conflict has come into focus in recent months, with Turkey passing a controversial law to deploy troops to help GNA forces in Tripoli.
Gen Haftar's LNA has the backing of Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan.Gen Haftar's LNA has the backing of Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan.
On Saturday, UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salamé called on international powers to stop supporting local proxy groups with mercenaries, arms, financing, and direct military support.On Saturday, UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salamé called on international powers to stop supporting local proxy groups with mercenaries, arms, financing, and direct military support.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that such actions created "a vicious circle where their proxies call for intervention in their fight, and their own ambitions bring more divisions".He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that such actions created "a vicious circle where their proxies call for intervention in their fight, and their own ambitions bring more divisions".
Mr Salamé told the BBC that a political solution to the conflict was best for all parties involved because Libya - with its vast geography, strong local identities, heavily armed population and weakened government infrastructure - was a difficult country for one group to control.Mr Salamé told the BBC that a political solution to the conflict was best for all parties involved because Libya - with its vast geography, strong local identities, heavily armed population and weakened government infrastructure - was a difficult country for one group to control.