Libya summit in Berlin planned for beginning of next year
dpa
BERLIN (dpa)- A summit set to take place in Berlin to help defuse the conflict in Libya will likely not take place until the beginning of next year, sources told dpa on Monday.
Another preparatory meeting of high-ranking diplomats is now planned for mid-December. A final decision on the summit will probably be taken at that point, the sources said.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas had expressed hope during a visit to Libya at the end of October that the summit would take place this year.
Libya has descended into chaos since the overthrow in 2011 of its long-time ruler Moamer Gaddafi. Two governments are competing for power, numerous militias are fighting for influence and its capital Tripoli is contested.
Germany has been trying to mediate in the conflict since September, in hopes of avoiding a proxy war like in Syria. It wants to start by halting arms deliveries to the country.
Four preparatory meetings have already taken place as part of the mediation efforts, including one last week.
The goal is to have the five veto holders on the UN Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - meet with the regional powers involved in the conflict. They include the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey.
All three of those countries have been accused of delivering weapons to Libya.
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