Skip to main content

Libya peace talks resume in Morocco

After breaking for Eid al-Adha, representatives from Libya's rival governments meet for talks near Rabat
The head of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives Mohamed Ali Shoeb speaks at a press conference during a new round of peace talks on the Libyan conflict on 12 September 2015, in the Moroccan city of Skhirat, 20 kilometres south of Rabat (AFP)

Libya's rival factions resumed talks in Morocco on Monday to try to move forward with a UN-brokered peace deal and agree on a national unity government.

The United Nations has been piling pressure on Libyan factions to take the final step and make the appointments after months of difficult negotiations and missed deadlines. 

"The envoy of the UN Mission for Libya is meeting a number of negotiators on Monday," said UNSMIL spokesman Samir Ghattas.

Nearly four years after the fall and death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains in chaos with two rival governments and parliaments.

The capital Tripoli is the seat of the General National Congress controlled by the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) coalition of fighters.

The city of Tobruk in the far east of the country near the border with Egypt hosts the internationally recognised parliament.

UN envoy Bernardino Leon has said that a deal should be reached before 20 October, when the mandate of the internationally recognised parliament expires.

The seaside resort of Skhirat near the Moroccan capital Rabat is again hosting the negotiations, two weeks after the previous round of talks adjourned for the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha.

The UN mission on 22 September gave delegates to the talks a copy of the final text of the political agreement, saying it was the only option for Libyans if they do not want to lead their country into a political vacuum and uncertain future.

"Armed conflict and political instability has impacted over three million people across Libya," the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report published on Thursday.

In a country of 6.3 million, "2.44 million people are in need of protection and some form of humanitarian assistance".

Last month, UN envoy Leon said that the last round of peace talks in Morocco could be a "moment of truth" for the country. The talks have missed several deadlines.

He called attacks by fighters affiliated to the Islamic State (IS) group in the country a "very concerning and very serious development".

Stay informed with MEE's newsletters

Sign up to get the latest alerts, insights and analysis, starting with Turkey Unpacked

 
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.