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New Libyan authorities invited to ministerial meeting

This time, however, Libyan representatives will attend the Marseilles meeting as observers

MARSEILLES, September 9 (Itar-Tass) — Representatives of the new Libyan authorities have been invited to attend a ministerial meeting of G8, due to be held in Marseilles on September 10, French sources confirmed to Itar-Tass on Friday.

After the discussion of global economic problems, the second day of the meeting in Marseilles, which will be held with active participation of Russia, will be totally devoted to problems of support for the “Arab spring,” which followed a wave of revolutionary upheavals in the Arab East. Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergey Storchak is leading the Russian delegation.

Partnership with the new authorities of Tunisia and Egypt was initiated at the G8 summit, held in Deauville last May. The world powers promised extensive assistance to them – a total of 40 billion euros during a period ending in 2013. Morocco and Jordan joined the programme recently. Democratic transformations in those countries were welcomed by the world community.

“This shows that the role of genuine reforms is no less important than the role of revolutions,” said French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking before the diplomatic corps late in August. At the same time, he made it clear that “the new Libya” may also hope to join the programme of partnership with G8. This time, however, Libyan representatives will attend the Marseilles meeting as observers.

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