Libya conflict: Turkey and Russia call for ceasefire

Russia denies Turkey's claims that it has mercenaries in Libya

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have called for a ceasefire to end the conflict in Libya.

The two leaders are seen to back rival sides in a conflict dragging in an increasing number of states. After talks in Istanbul, Mr Erdogan and Mr Putin said the ceasefire should come into force at midnight on Sunday.

The call came amid a warning by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of a Syrian-style civil war in Libya.

Last week, Turkey sent troops to the North African state to bolster the embattled UN-backed government. 

Turkey accuses Russia of having about 2,500 mercenaries in Libya to support the UN-backed administration's main rival, Gen Khalifar Haftar. Russia denies the allegation.

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Libya is strategically important, having the largest oil reserves in Africa. It is located along the Mediterranean coast, and a gateway to Europe for African migrants. Previous efforts to end hostilities and unite the nation have failed, and it is unclear whether the latest initiative will succeed.

'Proxy wars'

Gen Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) said on Monday that its forces had captured the coastal city of Sirte, which is near Libya's "oil crescent". There have also been reports of clashes and air strikes on the road between Sirte and the city of Misrata, which is controlled by troops loyal to the UN-backed government.

In another sign of the diplomatic push for a ceasefire, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte met Gen Haftar in the Italian city of Rome.

Mr Conte had also been due to meet Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj but the meeting was scrapped. Government sources told the Reuters news agency that it appeared Mr al-Serraj called off the meeting after being incorrectly told that the Italians wanted him to meet Gen Haftar during the trip.

Mr al-Serraj was earlier in the European Union (EU) capital, Brussels, for talks with Mr Maas and EU officials.

"We want to avoid Libya becoming the scene of proxy wars," Mr Maas said. "Libya cannot become a second Syria and so we need rapidly to enter a political process, an agreement on an effective ceasefire and an arms embargo," he added.