Italy and the United States hailed a ceasefire announced on Friday by both warring sides in Libya, according to official statements by Rome and Washington.
In Tripoli, the head of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Al Sarraj announced an immediate ceasefire. Also, the speaker of the eastern Libyan parliament, Aguila Saleh, also announced a ceasefire.
The Italian foreign ministry said that Rome would "continue to carry out its active role of facilitation for a political solution to the crisis."
"Italy urges all parties concerned to give a swift and substantive follow-up to the course mapped out by the communique from the Presidential Council (in Tripoli) and the Chamber of Representatives (in Tobruk)."
The Italian ministry voiced the hope that there would be "a concrete application of (the ceasefire) to all the articulations of the petroleum industry over all the country's territory".
The ministry added that Italy would continue to back the Berlin Process for peace under the aegis of the UN and with the help of its EU partners.
Both statements called for demilitarizing Sirte and Al Jufra area, and for a joint police force to be responsible for security there.
There was no immediate comment from the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The LNA commander had agreed on an Egyptian initiative in June that included a ceasefire.
The UN support mission welcomed both statements and called for the expulsion of all foreign forces and mercenaries in the oil-rich country.
The US Embassy in Libya welcomed the agreement too and tweeted that "The US welcomes the statements of Prime Minister Al-Sarraj and Speaker of Parliament Saleh, as important steps for all Libyans. The United States will have more to say soon."
Read More About Libya:
https://see.news/egypts-sisi-hails-libyas-ceasefire-initiative/
Follow the latest news on Google News
