Russian news agency Sputnik reported on Wednesday that preparatory meetings for the Libya National Reconciliation Conference will resume in the city of Al-Bayda, in eastern Libya, starting on Sunday.

The meetings will be held in the presence of representatives from the African Union.

The work of the preparatory committee began in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, on July 21st and it announced that it would resume its work from within Libya, with the participation of all political and social parties.

Sputnik quoted Presidential Council spokesperson Najwa Wheba as saying that "Presidential Council member Abdullah Al-Lafi will open the first session" in the city of Al-Bayda.

During his briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday, UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily commended the efforts of the Presidential Council in preparing the conference, which is scheduled to held by the end of the year.