TRIPOLI, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The UN-backed government of Libya on Wednesday welcomed an appeal made by Turkey and Russia for ceasefire.
"The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord welcomes any serious call to resume the political process and end the war, in accordance with the Libyan political agreement and the (upcoming) UN-sponsored Berlin conference," the UN-backed government said in a statement.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday issued a joint statement on the civil war of Libya, crisis in Iran and developments in Syria after their consecutive meetings in Istanbul.
The two leaders called on all parties in Libya to secure an immediate ceasefire and stop all hostilities.
They said that the ceasefire should be sustainable and "supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilizing the situation on the ground and normalizing daily life in Tripoli and other cities."
The Tripoli-based High Council of State, an advisory body, also welcomed the call for ceasefire, stressing keenness to "save lives of the Libyans and stop the war."
On Sunday, Erdogan said that Turkey is "gradually" sending troops to Libya under a deal inked with the UN-backed government.
The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign in and around Tripoli since early April, trying to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.
Thousands have been killed and injured in the fighting, and more than 120,000 people have been displaced by the violence.
