Russia has agreed to mediate in the Libyan conflict if government troops halt their attacks on Misrata and implement the United Nations resolutions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoud.
Mr. Mahmoudi called Mr. Lavrov on Saturday to ask for Moscow's help in achieving peaceful settlement in Libya, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website.
“Lavrov pointed out that the most important thing now is to stop the bloodshed and suffering of civilian population,” said the Russian statement.
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“For this purpose, it is necessary to unconditionally comply with the respective the U.N. Security Council decisions and ensure an immediate halt to fire, above all in Misrata and other population centres,” Mr. Lavrov was quoted as telling the Libyan Prime Minister.
“This will help create conditions for a truce.”
“On this basis Russia is prepared to work with the African Union and the U.N. to move the situation to political and diplomatic channels,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
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The statement made no mention of Russian willingness to send observers to monitor the ceasefire, as reported by Libya's official JANA news agency.
JANA reported Mr. Mahmoudi also spoke by telephone with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Saturday and “reiterated Libya's commitment to United Nations resolutions”.
The Kremlin on Friday said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Mr. Papandreou in a telephone conversation expressed readiness “to provide, if need be, mediation help to resolve the situation in Libya”.