Key players to meet virtually on Monday to push for Libya cease-fire - Ahram Online

The United Nations and Germany are co-chairing a ministerial meeting on Monday of world powers and other countries with interests in Libya's long-running civil war in hopes of promoting a cease-fire between its rival governments.


Germany's deputy U.N. ambassador Gunter Sautter said Friday the virtual meeting is ``an important follow-up'' to a conference of the same parties in Berlin on Jan. 19 that approved a 55-point road map to peace in oil-rich Libya and agreed to respect a much-violated arms embargo, hold off on military support to the warring parties, and push them to reach a full cease-fire.

Stephanie Williams, the top U.N. official for Libya, warned last month that the conflict-torn North African country is at ``a decisive turning point,'' with foreign backers of its rival governments pouring in weapons - in violation of the Berlin agreement - and the misery of its people compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sautter said Monday's meeting ``comes at a crucial moment.'' He pointed to ``some encouraging developments in Libya'' including talks on security, ``the long-term agreements on transition, and progress on the question of oil exports.''