UN chief pays surprise visit to Libya, calls for peaceOctober 11, 2014 - 23:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has called for peace in Libya during a surprise visit to Tripoli as part of a UN-brokered reconciliation process, BBC News reported. On his first visit since 2011, when Col Muammar Gaddafi was ousted, he told MPs meeting at a hotel in the city there was "no alternative to dialogue". Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini accompanied him. The UN brokered talks last month between rival parliamentary factions, after months of militia violence. Instability has plagued the oil-rich country and the new parliament elected in July has been forced to meet outside the capital as rival militias battle for control of the city. Ban and Mogherini arrived in Tripoli by plane from neighboring Tunisia, where the UN mission to Libya has been based since it was evacuated during the summer. MPs were called to a city hotel amid tight security. "Libya needs a strong parliament and a strong government," Ban told them. "The fighting must stop... Enough of killings, enough of displacements of people." Mogherini, who is set to become the EU's new foreign policy chief next month, delivered a message of support for the Libyan parliament. Italy, she said, was "fully committed to staying by your side - on the side of the Libyan people... to save Libya from a destiny it doesn't deserve". 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |