TRIPOLI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The international community has welcomed a ceasefire in the south of the Libyan capital Tripoli between the UN-backed government and the rebel east-based army, the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA).
Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli issued a statement Sunday, expressing agreement to a ceasefire starting from Jan. 12 at midnight (2200 GMT), several hours after the LNA announced a cessation of hostilities.
The rivals will sign a ceasefire deal in Moscow on Monday, according to media reports citing local officials.
"The embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Delegation of the European Union join the UN Support Mission for Libya in welcoming the acceptance by parties in Libya of a ceasefire on January 12 and announcement that both the GNA and LNA will halt military operations," said a joint statement.
The statement called on the rival parties to "seize this fragile opportunity to address the key political, economic, and security issues underlying the conflict."
"In the spirit of the upcoming Berlin conference, we remain committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya, free from undue external interferences, and are prepared to support Libyan parties in achieving a long-term cessation of hostilities and a political settlement that will enable all Libyans to enjoy a more peaceful and prosperous future," the statement said.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the ceasefire, expressing willingness to help find a peaceful solution and end the Libyan crisis.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called on the Libyan rival parties to establish an immediate ceasefire and stop all hostilities.
The GNA welcomed the Turkish-Russian call, stressing keenness to end the war and resume political process.
Later Saturday, the LNA announced ceasefire and stopped all the military operations against the GNA in all western Libya.
However, both rival parties later exchanged accusations of breaching the ceasefire shortly after it entered into force.
The GNA on Sunday accused the LNA of breaching the ceasefire in southern Tripoli.
The LNA breached ceasefire in Salah Addin and Wadi al-Rabee in southern Tripoli minutes after the ceasefire took effect, the GNA said in a statement.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday evening in which they discussed the recent developments in war-torn Libya.
The Egyptian and German leaders agreed that any political solution in Libya should comprehensively deal with the political, economic, security and military aspects of the issue and stop illegitimate foreign interventions in Libya's domestic affairs, according to the statement.
The LNA has been leading a military campaign since early April last year in an attempt to take over Tripoli from the GNA.
Thousands of people, including immigrants, have been killed and injured in the fighting, and more than 120,000 civilians displaced.
