Peace talks on Libya resume in Geneva

Geneva, Jan 26 (IANS/EFE) Peace talks between the different parties to the conflict in Libya resumed in Geneva Monday, UN spokeswoman Corinne Momal-Vanian said.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) had announced that the talks would resume in Geneva after unsuccessfully trying to find a place safe enough in Libya to hold the meeting.

The first round of negotiations between Libyan factions was held in Geneva earlier this month after which there were calls for the cessation of hostilities and a government of national unity.

The UN is trying to reach a solution through political dialogue between the conflicting parties in the country which is led by two rival governments and two parliaments competing for power since the fall of the regime of Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011.

The latest meetings, in which 17 Libyan representatives are involved, are being held at the same level as the first round. Later in the week there will be other meetings to be attended by municipal representatives from different cities.

In a statement, the UN said that the UNSMIL would organise other meetings in the near future in which political parties would be included, along with representatives of social forces, tribes and armed groups.

In these meetings, they will discuss confidence building measures and how to implement them.

--IANS/EFE

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