WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks by phone with Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the US State Department said in a statement on Thursday. During the talks, both the leaders discussed regional developments, including the Libyan situation. They underlined the need for a cease-fire in Libya and the return to the United Nations-led political negotiations, the statement read. Pompeo thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for his strong partnership with the United States in combating the coronavirus pandemic, the statement added. Commenting on his talks with the UAE leader, Pompeo tweeted: "Had an important conversation with Emirati Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on increasing regional stability and supporting a lasting @UN-brokered ceasefire in Libya. Grateful for our strong partnership in combatting the global COVID-19 pandemic." Earlier this week, the United Nations' Libya mission announced that the country's warring parties had agreed to restart talks aimed at reaching a lasting ceasefire, after a three-month suspension. Later on Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt welcomed the development in a joint statement and pledged their support for the ceasefire efforts. "The UAE and Egypt also affirmed that they stand with the Libyan people and all parties calling for calm to save lives of innocent civilians and to achieve stability in Libya, especially with the continuation of humanitarian efforts to combat Covid-19 pandemic," the statement read. For more than a year, the Libyan National Army under Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has been trying to capture the capital from the Government of National Accord headed by Fayez Al Sarraj.
