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PM believes Russia can play positive role in Libyan settlement

Russia could play a positive role in resolving crisis in Libya considering its ties with various political forces in that country, according to Libya's PM

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Russia could play a positive role in resolving crisis in Libya considering its ties with various political forces in that country, Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj, said at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday.

"Our relations with Russia are strong and have deep roots. We are determined to continue to intensify them at all levels, in all areas - economy, politics, security and military sphere," he said.

The Libyan premier voiced the conviction that "Russia could play a positive role, considering its relations with various Libyan political forces." "The clock is ticking, we cannot give some political forces room for political maneuvering thus playing with the destiny of the Libyan people," he said.

"The political agreement (the Skhirat national reconciliation agreement signed in December 2015 - TASS) we moved towards over two years, was signed," al-Sarraj went on to say. "We believe that all political forces should join the political process on the basis of this document." "The Presidential Council extends its hand to all Libyan forces. We want to develop contacts with all of them to expand the bridgehead of this political agreement and expand the opportunities of accord," the premier said, adding that it is necessary to overcome the current crisis, "because the situation in Libya continues to deteriorate, and Libyan citizens are suffering."