News / North Africa

UN envoy warns of Daesh expansion in Libya

Wednesday, 17 February 2016 6:41 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 17 February 2016 6:40 PM ]

Martin Kobler, the UN special envoy for Libya, listens during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on February 17, 2016. ©AP

The United Nations special envoy for Libya has warned against further postponement of a vote on a unity government in the North African state, saying delays in the task will result in the expansion of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

"Every day lost in political dialogue is a day of gain of Daesh,” the Associated Press quoted Martin Kobler as saying in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo on Wednesday.

Kobler’s remarks came one day after Libya’s internationally recognized parliament based in the northeastern city of Tobruk decided to postpone for seven days a vote on the national unity government.

Libya's Presidency Council recently proposed a new 18-minister cabinet headed by premier-designate Fayez al-Sarraj.

Many hope that Libya’s new administration, if endorsed by the legislature, will end the chaos gripping the oil-rich country.

In a relevant development on Wednesday, Russia also expressed hope that Libya will finally get “a full-fledged executive governing body" paving the way for restoration of security.

"Its (the government’s) main task will be to stop the anarchy reigning in the country and to speedily form an effective army and police force. This will permit the restoration of security, law and order throughout Libyan territory," a Russian Foreign Ministry commentary read.

Since August 2014, when militias seized the capital Tripoli, Libya has had two parliaments and two governments with one, the General National Congress (GNC), run by the rebels in the capital, and the internationally-recognized administration in Tobruk.

The file photo purportedly shows militants from Daesh Takfiri terrorist group parading on a road in Sirte, Libya. ©AFP

Daesh took control of Libya’s northern port city of Sirte in June 2015, almost four months after it announced its presence in the city, and made it the first city to be ruled by the militant group outside of Iraq and Syria.

Since then, the group has been boosting its presence in the violence-wracked country, particularly after the Iraqi and Syrian army advances against militants.

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