France aims to host meeting on Libya next weekAugust 22, 2011 - 17:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France aims to host a meeting of international partners in Paris next week to lay out a roadmap for Libya's future, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said, as rebels swept into Tripoli. Juppe said it was not clear whether Muammar Gaddafi remained in the Libyan capital and he called on supporters of the 69-year-old leader, who fought last-ditch battles in the streets of Tripoli Monday, August 22, to lay down their arms. "It's over so the fighting has to stop to save lives," Juppe told a news conference. "We call again for a ceasefire, there is no way out for the regime." France spearheaded the West's military intervention in Libya but had been growing impatient in recent weeks. President Nicolas Sarkozy made a gamble by taking a personal role in supporting the rebels and was anxious to avoid costly military operations running into the start of campaigning for the April 2012 presidential election. "This is a subject of great satisfaction," Juppe said. "France has taken risks for a just cause." Sarkozy spoke by telephone Monday with Mahmoud Jibril, leader of Libya's National Transitional Council, and invited him to Paris Wednesday. "We propose an extraordinary meeting of the contact group at the highest level as soon as next week to lay out an action plan with the Libyan authorities," the Foreign Minister said. An aide later clarified the meeting could happen in Paris, Reuters reported. 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 | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |