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Moscow to talk peace with Gaddafi envoys

 

MOSCOW, May 16 (ITAR-TASS) - Envoys from Tripoli are expected in Moscow on Tuesday, May 17, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday at a meeting with U.N. special envoy to Libya Abdelilah al-Khatib.

"We have agreed the Moscow meeting with representatives both from Tripoli and Benghazi," he said. "Envoys from Tripoli will be here tomorrow. Envoys from Benghazi are expected on Wednesday, but, as they have informed, due to technical reasons they are forces to ask to postpone the visit."

"We hope it will take place in the foreseeable future," Lavrov added.

"Russia is ready to maintain dialogue with anyone," he stressed. "Moscow is very interested in the soonest end to bloodshed in Libya and switching to a political dialogue. We support the initiative of United Nations humanitarian chief Valerie Amos who has asked all sides fighting in Libya for a pause in hostilities to allow food, water, medical supplies and other aid to be delivered to needy populations."

"We support your personal efforts you reported to the United Nations Security Council. We support the initiatives of the African Union aimed at a ceasing fire and beginning a dialogue to reach a national reconciliation in the interests of the entire Libyan people, in the interests of Libya's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Russian diplomat stressed.

Abdelilah al-Khatib, for his part, said the appreciated Russia's position. "We should pool our efforts to find a solution to the problem," he said.