TRIPOLI - The leaders of Libya's two warring sides have arrived in Moscow for talks, a day after a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey came into force.
The development on Monday came amid suggestions that Fayez al-Sarraj, the chief of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), and his rival, renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, may sign the ceasefire agreement in the Russian capital.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said the "inter-Libyan contacts" would be held "under the auspices of the foreign and defence ministers of Russia and Turkey".
"Al-Sarraj, Haftar and representatives of other Libyan parties are expected to participate in these contacts," she told reporters. It was still unclear if the two leaders would meet face to face.
Libya has been racked by turmoil since longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.
"We don't know when the signatures will be set, but we are expecting something today," she added.
The ceasefire followed a joint call by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - who backs al-Sarraj and has sent troops to help the GNA - and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, who analysts have long seen as supporting Haftar.
Pro-Haftar forces are supported by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Al-Sarraj has also accused Paris of supporting Haftar and tacitly backing his assault on Tripoli, claims denied by French officials. (Aljazeera)