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Russia calls for truce in Libya after Moscow talks

by Reuters
Tuesday, 17 May 2011 10:43 GMT

Reuters

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MOSCOW, May 17 (Reuters) - Russia called on Libya on Tuesday to stop using force against civilians, part of a drive by Moscow to secure a truce between supporters of Muammar Gaddafi and rebels who are fighting to end his 41-year rule.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russian officials told a Gaddafi representative who travelled to Moscow that Libya must comply fully with U.N. Security Council resolutions and withdraw armed groups from cities.

"The answer we heard cannot be called negative," Lavrov told reporters, adding the Gaddafi representatives said Libya was ready to look at peace proposals based on those suggested by the African Union and to comply with Security Council resolutions.

"The only things that our interlocutors from Tripoli noted today was the necessity of the insurgents accepting analogous steps and that NATO also stopped bombing," Lavrov said.

"The main thing at the moment is to agree with terms and timeframe of a truce," Lavrov said. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge)

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