Russian delegation cancels  visit to Turkey amid continuing disputes

Lavrov and Shoigu were due to arrive in Istanbul today, according to Turkish media.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the visit was postponed, noting that: "It was agreed to set a date later for the visit of the two ministers."

It added in the statement that "on behalf of the heads of the two countries, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of Russia and Turkey are actively working to support the settlement in Libya."
And continued, "the experts continue intensive contacts in order to reach a quick ceasefire agreement and the establishment of a negotiating mechanism between the Libyan parties in various fields, politically and economically, under the auspices of the United Nations in accordance with the outputs of the Berlin Conference and international resolutions."

The ministry did not mention the reason for canceling the visit, which was scheduled for Sunday, but the move may indicate continued differences between the two countries in the Libyan file.

Moscow had taken a position against the Turkish-Libyan military intervention, which escalated after the signing of the maritime and military agreements between Ankara and the Saraj government last November.

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ANHA