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France welcomes agreement for new talks on Libyan conflict

PARIS, June 2 (KUNA) -- French authorities on Tuesday welcomed an announcement that belligerents in the Libyan conflict were in an agreement to resume negotiations on getting a cease-fire, a statement said.
"France welcomes the announcement of agreement by the Libyan National Army and the government of national understanding to resume negotiations," the French Foreign Ministry said.
The fresh talks will take place within the framework of the "5+5" group of Mediterranean countries and also under the aegis of the United Nations.
Paris said that the aim is to achieve "a rapid ceasefire" in Libya, using prior negotiations on February 23 as a basis.
"France intends to lend its full support to an immediate resumption of discussions and to the rapid signing of a ceasefire agreement," the Foreign Ministry said, stressing it has been working closely with the parties in recent weeks to arrive at this goal.
France further called for "an immediate de-escalation" of fighting as soon as the talks resume in the near future.
The discussions must bring an end to foreign interference in Libya, a halt to violations of an international arms embargo there, and a resumption of the political process in the North African nation, under the aegis of the United Nations. (end) jk.ibi