- We agreed on a comprehensive plan. I can tell you that all the participants worked very constructively together, Merkel said according to the news agency AP.

One concrete result is that negotiations on a permanent ceasefire will start in Geneva within a few days.

The rival leaders, Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and warlord Khalifa Haftar, have agreed to the plan and will appoint members of the negotiating group, Merkel said at a press conference after the Berlin meeting.

In addition, all participants promised to respect a strictly controlled arms embargo and to refrain from interfering in the conflict.

Representatives from 16 countries attended the meeting, including the presidents of Russia, Turkey and France, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the US Secretary of State.