UN narrowing differences between Libya rival administrations

The United Nations (UN) says it is attempting to narrow the differences between the delegates of rival Libyan administrations over a proposed deal aimed at forming a unity government in Libya.

Samir Ghattas, a spokesman for the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said on Saturday that it is trying to narrow the differences that emerged in written observations and proposals put forward by the two sides regarding the deal.

“We have received the text from the parties on their remarks. There are differences that we are working to narrow,” Ghattas said in a statement, adding, “But there are many elements that they are in agreement on.”

Sources say the UN Special Representative in Libya, Bernardino Leon, has spent the day reviewing written observations to try to find common ground and address gaps.

The UN has recently stepped up its diplomatic efforts to encourage the rivals to sign a deal on the formation of a unity government in order to end the growing insecurity across the country.

On March 24, the UN mission in Libya unveiled a plan that calls for setting up a transitional unity government until a new constitution is adopted and elections are held.

The Libyan rival delegates have already attended the latest round of talks over the deal in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat.

Libya has two rival camps vying for the control of the country, with one governing Tripoli and the other, which is the internationally recognized government, controlling the eastern cities of Bayda and Tobruk. The Libyan internationally recognized parliament, the House of Representatives, is based in Tobruk.

Libya Dawn, a militia group in Libya, took over the capital, Tripoli, in the summer of 2014. It set up its own government and reinstated the General National Congress (GNC), which had been dissolved earlier.

Several rounds of peace talks brokered by the UN have been held in recent months aimed at forming a unity government between the rival factions. The talks have failed to deliver any practical results so far.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted a statement calling for the resumption of the talks.

The UNSC urged the rival sides to “agree on arrangements on the formation of a national unity government to end Libya’s political, security and institutional crisis.”

It also warned that the UN body is “prepared to sanction those who threaten Libya’s peace, stability or security or that obstruct or undermine the successful completion of its political transition.”

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising against the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi, whose ouster gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militia groups and deep political divisions.

JR/HJL/SS

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