Russian and Turkish foreign ministers call for ceasefire in Libya

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke on the phone on Thursday to discuss the situation in Libya and called on the warring parties to put a definitive end to all military operations. This conversation took place several hours after the field marshal and leader of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar warned of a new "campaign of air attacks in the coming hours". The two diplomats have also called on rival factions to return to the UN political process. 

In response to Haftar's announcement, the Government of National Accord (GNA) has carried out a series of air strikes against forces loyal to the rebel marshal. Colonel Mohamed Qanunu explained that his militia had participated in five air operations in the town of Tarhuna, destroying at least two military vehicles and one ammunition carrier during their intervention, according to Al Monitor. 

Russia, along with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, supports Haftar's self-styled army, but denies sending fighters to Libya, while Turkey and Qatar support the internationally recognized Tripoli-based government. The telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Turkey and Russia took place three days after the presidents of the two countries discussed the latest developments in the North African nation. 

"They pointed out the need to immediately resume the permanent truce and intra-Libyan dialogue on the basis of the resolutions of the Berlin International Conference of 19 January 2020, approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2510", underlined a statement issued by the Kremlim which was taken up by Al Monitor. 

In addition, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Germany and France have analysed over the last few days the unstable situation of the Libyan conflict and the consequences of the outbreak of the coronavirus, among other issues. "We note with great concern that the call for a humanitarian ceasefire, especially now in the month of Ramadan, has been largely ineffective. Instead, the country is in a spiral of escalating violence with continued fighting," according to reports in The National newspaper. 

In the last month, the National Accord Government has achieved several military victories in the west of the country, thanks to Turkey's air and logistical support, a support that has not been welcomed by much of the international community. European nations have sought to reduce violence in Libya by preventing the massive influx of weapons, military equipment and mercenaries. "Only political solutions and full respect for the UN arms embargo can resolve the Libyan crisis. But diplomacy cannot succeed if it is not backed by action. This operation will be essential and will be a clear contribution to the promotion of peace in our immediate neighbourhood through a permanent ceasefire," said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Council, after announcing the launch of operation IRINI. This operation will have the power to inspect vessels sailing off the Libyan coast that may be suspected of carrying arms or military material. 

In this scenario, the Libyan Ministry of Defence of the National Accord Government (NAG) has promised to bring to justice those responsible for the closure of the oil ports, claiming that this blockade is a war crime, as reported by The Libya Observer. The ministry also said in a statement that this action "will have serious consequences for Libyans and will lead to a shortfall in state revenue, not to mention power cuts due to shortages of fuel and gas. The head of one of the country's main electricity companies warned the daily Al Wasat that armed clashes in several regions, including the capital, Tripoli, have left more than 30 transport and energy departments affected. 

The UN envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams, told the Security Council this week that the escalation of fighting, driven by an avalanche of foreign-supplied weapons and mercenaries, risked "turning Libya's conflict into a pure power struggle".

Oil-rich Libya has been plunged into chaos and instability following the death of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The North African nation was under foreign rule for centuries until it gained independence in 1951. Shortly after oil was discovered, General Gaddafi came to power and ruled the country with an iron hand for four decades. Since 2014, Libya has been divided between the areas controlled by the internationally recognized National Accord Government on the one hand, and the territory controlled by the authorities in the east, loyal to the Haftar militias, on the other. Recent events have coincided with an unprecedented global health crisis caused by the coronavirus; a disease that has killed at least three people in this region.