Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed optimism that “tangible progress” is on the horizon for Libya, underscoring the urgent need for the country to regain stability.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Egyptian officials in Moscow on Monday, Lavrov outlined Russia’s collaborative efforts with Egypt to facilitate dialogue between Libya’s divided factions.
“The goal is clear: to foster inclusive dialogue that can pave the way for a political settlement,” Lavrov stated. He stressed that Cairo remains a vital partner for Moscow in North Africa, particularly in the ongoing search for a durable solution to Libya’s protracted crisis.
Russia and Egypt’s joint initiative aims to support the United Nations-led peace efforts and encourage both the Tripoli-based authorities and the eastern factions, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, to agree on a unified electoral timetable.
Lavrov emphasized that the formation of a unified government capable of rebuilding national institutions is critical, as these institutions have been fragmented since the outbreak of the civil conflict in 2014.
While Egypt has long been involved in mediating the Libyan crisis, maintaining ties with the Tobruk parliament and Haftar’s Libyan National Army, Russia’s role has expanded in recent years, engaging with all Libyan factions.
Both nations share a deep concern about the potential security collapse on Libya’s eastern borders and are committed to ensuring regional stability.
However, progress under the auspices of the United Nations has been slow.
Despite the creation of a joint committee to harmonize Libya’s constitutional and electoral frameworks, institutional rivalries between the Tripoli-based government and the eastern authorities continue to hinder a political breakthrough.
Nonetheless, Russian diplomats remain optimistic.
They believe that the conditions for restarting the political process are now favorable, provided that Libyan stakeholders focus on reaching consensus and prioritizing the national interest.
No specific timeline has been set for a comprehensive agreement, but Moscow and Cairo have pledged to intensify their diplomatic efforts in the coming weeks.
As Libya remains mired in conflict, the international community will be watching closely to see whether the renewed Russian-Egyptian push can bring meaningful change to the country’s fractured political landscape.
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