United Nations hails ‘breakthrough’ in Libya peace talks
- Participants at Tunis meeting reach preliminary agreement for road map to elections within 18 months
- Libya has been in chaos since 2011 and divided since 2014 between rival factions in the east and west
Political talks on Libya’s future have reached agreement on holding elections within 18 months, the United Nations acting Libya envoy said on Wednesday, hailing a “breakthrough” in a peacemaking process that still faces great obstacles.
“There’s real momentum and that’s what we need to focus on and encourage,” envoy Stephanie Williams said at a news conference in Tunis, where 75 Libyan participants chosen by the United Nations have been meeting since Monday.
The meeting has reached preliminary agreement on a road map to “free, fair, inclusive and credible parliamentary and presidential elections” that also includes steps to unite institutions, she said.
Libya has been in chaos since 2011 and divided since 2014 between rival factions in the east and west, with major institutions also split or controlled by armed groups.
The internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) holds power in the capital Tripoli, while Khalifa Hifter’s Libyan National Army (LNA) holds sway in the east.
With both sides riven by political, regional and ideological divisions among the armed factions that back them, and with foreign powers pouring in arms and mercenaries, many Libyans remain sceptical of peacemaking efforts.