The head of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed Menfi, said on Friday that he hopes "Russian leadership, African leaders and other parties ensure the unconditional exit of mercenaries and foreign forces from Libya as soon as possible."

This came in the speech before the work of the first opening session of the Russia-Africa Summit, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Al-Menfi told the summit that one of the most important priorities is "to stabilize the ceasefire, in cooperation with the 5+5 Military Commission and the United Nations Mission in Libya, remove all manifestations that limit the movement of Libyans throughout their country, continue to unify institutions and start working to establish a joint force among all components of the armed forces." 

He added: "The Presidential Council continues its efforts to create a national consensus to accelerate the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections and continues its efforts to promote the human rights situation and respect the principles of international humanitarian law".

Menfi's participation in the summit came at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Presidential Council's media office.