CAIRO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry headed to Algeria for a ministerial meeting of Libya's neighboring countries, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
The ministerial meeting, which will be held on Thursday, is meant to discuss the rapid developments of the Libyan issue, said Ahmed Hafez, a ministry spokesman.
Top diplomats of Libya's neighbors will exchange views on the future steps to be followed in the light of the outcomes of Berlin conference, he added.
They will discuss "means of advancing the ongoing efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement encompassing all aspects of the Libyan crisis, including restoring security and stability in Libya," Hafez said.
Earlier in the day, the Algerian Foreign Ministry said the meeting will involve the foreign ministers of Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Chad and Niger.
An international conference on Libya was recently held in Germany's capital Berlin in an attempt to pave the way for a lasting settlement in war-torn Libya.
Participants in Berlin conference agreed on limiting foreign interference in Libya and continuing the arms embargo on the North African country.
During Berlin talks, the two main rivals in the Libyan crisis, UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj and army commander Khalifa Haftar, refused to meet.
Libya has been stuck in a civil war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The Libyan conflict escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-recognized, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Serraj and a Tobruk-based government allied with the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Haftar.
A fragile cease-fire is currently in effect between GNA forces and LNA that seeks to take over the capital Tripoli. Enditem
