schema:articleBody
| - Russia's foreign and defence ministers have postponed a planned visit to Turkey on Sunday to discuss the Libya and Syria conflicts where Moscow and Ankara back rival forces. Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu had intended to visit Istanbul on Sunday following an agreement between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, foreign ministries in both countries said on Saturday. But, without giving a reason, both said the visit was postponed and work was continuing to reschedule a ministerial meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Lavrov agreed in a phone call Sunday that contacts would continue in the meantime, Ankara said. Turkey's defence minister is Hulusi Akar. In a statement on its Facebook page, the Russian ministry added the ministers "are actively working to support a settlement in Libya". Turkey and Russia -- whose leaders have forged a strong partnership in recent years -- support opposing sides in Libya, which has been riven by unrest since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Russia, along with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, has backed eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar. Haftar has reportedly enjoyed the support of the Wagner mercenary group allegedly run by an ally of Putin. Turkey, together with regional ally Qatar, supports the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. Ankara has sent Syrian fighters, military advisors and drones in support of the GNA, which has changed the tide of war in the conflict-struck country. Turkish-backed GNA forces have in recent weeks recaptured outposts in western Libya seized by pro-Haftar loyalists, who then tried to march on the capital. In Syria, Turkey and Russia say they are working to bring a political solution to the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was expected to visit Istanbul on Sunday ahead of talks with Turkish officials on Monday, a Turkish diplomatic source said. While Iran and Russia back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Turkey supports rebels seeking his overthrow. am-fo/lc
|