'Libyan rivals committed to ceasefire, elections' - draft statementJuly 25, 2017 - 18:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The two principal rivals in conflict-ridden Libya, who are to hold French-brokered talks Tuesday, July 25 near Paris, are committed to a ceasefire and elections "as soon as possible", said a draft talks statement, according to AFP. The statement says Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar, the rival military commander who controls the east of the conflict-ridden country, also commit to hold presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible. French officials at the talks stressed that the document was one of several working versions being circulated ahead of the meeting. The 10-point version seen by AFP also says that only a political solution can end the crisis and it backs the Skhirat Agreement, agreed in 2015 with UN backing, as the basis for a political process in Libya. The aim of Tuesday's talks is to persuade the two sides to at least outline a roadmap for an end to a conflict that has plunged the oil-rich country into chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |