There is no solution to Middle East crises except through political means, says Lavrov

Moscow,(ST) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that the crises in the Middle East region, including Syria and Libya, can only be resolved through dialogue and political diplomatic methods.

Lavrov indicated during a press conference with his Algerian counterpart Sabri Bogadom in Moscow today that Russia is committed to implementing the results of the Berlin Conference on Libya and is in contact with all Libyan parties in order to help them reach a settlement to the crisis, pointing out that Moscow attaches great importance to the role of neighboring countries in Libya in achieving this settlement and the need for these countries to be involved in any talks on this country.

Lavrov stressed that the ceasefire in Libya is not an endpoint, but must be followed immediately by a political process aimed at restoring Libya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and rebuilding state institutions destroyed by the NATO aggression in 2011.

Bouqadom confirmed Algeria’s position that there is no military solution to the crisis in Libya and that there must be talks in which all parties participate in order to find a political settlement based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and will of its people, based on the results of the Berlin Conference and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He indicated that it was agreed with Lavrov that the ceasefire in Libya and the easing of tensions should result in a political settlement.

Raghda Sawas