On April 18, Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov had a meeting with a socio-political delegation from Misurata, a city in western Libya, chaired by the leader of the United Libya movement, Abdul Hameed Al Dabeeba.

The meeting was attended by members of Russia's Federal Assembly (parliament) and concerned Russian agencies. The parties exchanged opinions on the situation in Libya, primarily the UN-led efforts to promote national reconciliation.

The Libyan guests expressed their gratitude to Russia for its balanced policy on the settlement in Libya aimed at bringing together the positions of various Libyan parties on key issues on the internal agenda.

The Russian officials pointed out the importance of promoting an inclusive intra-Libyan dialogue with the main political forces, tribes and regions towards creating national bodies of authority, including an army and police to maintain security, law and order and effectively fight terrorism. The Russian officials reaffirmed Moscow's resolve to continue to work together with all Libyan parties to find mutually acceptable solutions to restore the country's unity and facilitate sustainable development as a sovereign and independent state that will maintain traditional relations of friendship with Russia.

Distributed by APO on behalf of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.