The BOLD war! Vladimir Putin grandstands in front of world leaders for first time since changing Russian constitution so he can rule for life - as nations meet at German summit on Libya to halt proxy fighting

  • Vladimir Putin met with world leaders for the first time since changes to Russian constitution announced 
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel invited leaders from 12 countries to Berlin for a summit on Libyan conflict
  • Representatives from the United Nations, European Union, the African Union and the Arab League attended 
  • Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, Boris Johnson and Mike Pompeo also attended the German meeting

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Vladimir Putin has met with other world leaders for the first time since sweeping changes to the country's constitution that could keep him in power long after his presidential term ends were announced.

The Russian President announced, as part of his annual state address on Wednesday, changes that could pave the way for him to extend his leadership beyond 2024.

A day after the shock announcement, that saw his entire government - including Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev - resign, Putin said he believed the people supported these changes. 

Today Putin met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Berlin for a summit on war-ton Libya.

Germany brought together the key players in Libya's long-running civil war today, in a bid to curb foreign military interference, solidify a cease-fire and help relaunch a political process to stop the chaos in the North African nation.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel invited leaders from 12 countries as well as the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and the Arab League to the summit at the chancellery in Berlin. 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharing a joke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on their way to a family picture during a Peace summit

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharing a joke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on their way to a family picture during a Peace summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron warmly shake hands next to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on their way to the family picture during the Peace summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron warmly shake hands next to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on their way to the family picture during the Peace summit

French President Emmanuel Macron (centre left) speaking with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center right) during a group photo at a conference on Libya at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Boris Johnson (far left), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (third left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (second right) were also present

French President Emmanuel Macron (centre left) speaking with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center right) during a group photo at a conference on Libya at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Boris Johnson (far left), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (third left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (second right) were also present 

French President Emmanuel Macron greets German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a kiss as he arrives for an international summit on securing peace in Libya at the German federal Chancellery today

French President Emmanuel Macron greets German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a kiss as he arrives for an international summit on securing peace in Libya at the German federal Chancellery today

Germany's months-long diplomatic drive seeks to bolster efforts to stop the fighting in Libya by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame.

Also invited are Libya's two main rival leaders: Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and Gen. Khalifa Hifter, who are both expected to attend. 

On the streets of Moscow today more than a thousand opposition activists of various stripes marched in protest at Putin's proposed re-drafting the constitution, unleashing political upheaval.

Putin is thought to be planning to impose limits to presidential terms in Russia, but his other changes could still pave the way for him to extend his 20-year rule - albeit in a new capacity. 

His proposals would weaken the presidency, while giving power to the parliament, the prime minister, and the state council.

World leaders were said to be looking to commit to ending all foreign meddling in Libya's war, but calls were growing for an international force to ensure that pledges are put into action. 

A truce brokered earlier this month by Russia and Turkey marked the first break in fighting in months, but the cease-fire has seen repeated violations.

Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport before flying to the summit, Erdogan said the world had failed to respond adequately to Hifter's 'reckless attacks' on Sarraj's UN-recognised government.

'Hopes that flourish again with the cease-fire and the Berlin summit should not be sacrificed to the ambitions of the merchants of blood and chaos,' he said.

Libya has sunk further into chaos since the 2011 ouster and killing of Libya's longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. 

It is now divided into rival administrations, each backed by different nations: the UN-recognised government based in Tripoli, headed by Sarraj, and one based in the country's east, supported by Hifter's forces.

Hifter's forces have been on the offensive since April, laying siege to Tripoli in an effort to capture the capital. 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (front second left) waiting for the arrival of leaders prior to a group photo at a conference on Libya at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, today

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (front second left) waiting for the arrival of leaders prior to a group photo at a conference on Libya at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, today

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres during the International Libya Conference in Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres during the International Libya Conference in Berlin

Mike Pompeo (left) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shaking hands on their way to the family picture during the summit

Mike Pompeo (left) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shaking hands on their way to the family picture during the summit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso as he arrives for conference on Libya at the Chancellery in Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso as he arrives for conference on Libya at the Chancellery in Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel greeting French President Emmanuel Macron during arrivals for a conference on Libya at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, today

German Chancellor Angela Merkel greeting French President Emmanuel Macron during arrivals for a conference on Libya at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, today 

Hifter's forces are backed by Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates, while the Tripoli government has turned to Turkey for troops and weapons.

On Friday, tribal groups loyal to Hifter seized several large oil export terminals along Libya's eastern coast as well as southern oil fields in another challenge to the Tripoli government, which collects revenue from oil production. 

The National Oil Corporation said the move threatens to throttle much of Libya's oil production.

Germany's priority is to try to get the outside players that have interests in the conflict on the same page, stem the flow of weapons to Libya and ensure that the cease-fire sticks -- creating space for UN-led efforts to re-establish a political process in Libya.

'At the Libya conference, we must see above all that the arms embargo is once again complied with - it has been agreed in principle at UN level but unfortunately not kept to', Merkel said.

Germany is also keen to prevent the fighting in Libya from further destabilizing the region, potentially setting off new waves of migrants seeking safety in Europe across the Mediterranean Sea.

Police stand guard on the roof of the chancellery ahead of a conference on Libya in Berlin, Germany today

Police stand guard on the roof of the chancellery ahead of a conference on Libya in Berlin, Germany today

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, welcomes President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso as he arrives for conference on Libya at the Chancellery in Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosts the one-day conference of world powers in Berlin to discuss efforts to broker peace in Libya. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, welcomes President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso as he arrives for conference on Libya at the Chancellery in Berlin, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosts the one-day conference of world powers in Berlin to discuss efforts to broker peace in Libya. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

Media wait for participants at the entrance to the chancellery ahead of a conference on Libya in Berlin, Germany today

Media wait for participants at the entrance to the chancellery ahead of a conference on Libya in Berlin, Germany today

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who travelled to Libya to meet Hifter on Thursday, said the general pledged to respect the cease-fire even though he had left Moscow days before without signing a draft on the truce. Sarraj did sign the document.

UN envoy Salame has demanded an end to all foreign interference in Libya, saying that a military solution is impossible and governments and mercenaries helping rival forces are hindering a political solution.

Despite the arms embargo against Libya, he said, weapons are being sold and given to Libyans, and 'probably thousands' of mercenaries have been sent into the country, creating a 'bleak' situation for millions of civilians.

German officials have been careful to keep expectations in check.

'The conference is important, but it is a beginning, the start of a process,' spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said.

Pope Francis offered his encouragement from the Vatican on Sunday.

'I strongly hope that this summit, so important, is the start of a path toward the cessation of violence and a negotiated solution that leads to peace and much desired stability', Francis told the public in St. Peter's Square.

Libyan Gen. Khalifa Hifter looks on during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Athens, on Friday. The commander of anti-government forces in war-torn Libya has begun meetings in Athens in a bid to counter Turkey's support for his opponents

Libyan Gen. Khalifa Hifter looks on during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Athens, on Friday. The commander of anti-government forces in war-torn Libya has begun meetings in Athens in a bid to counter Turkey's support for his opponents