Egypt and Italy discussed combating attempts to hamper a political reconciliation in the Libyan crisis, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read, ahead of the Berlin conference to discuss the situation in the war-torn country.

According to the statement, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio accelerating efforts to push for a comprehensive political reconciliation in the Libyan crisis.

The conference, which kicks off today, is attended by states concerned with the Libyan crisis and representatives of international and regional organisations.

Participants include Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit.

Libya's Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord Fayez Al-Sarraj, Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar and UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salamé will also attend the conference.

The summit's main goal is to get foreign powers wielding influence in the region to stop interfering in the war, be it through providing weapons, troops or financing.