Libya rival forces oppose UN-proposed peace deal

Image
AFP Tripoli
Last Updated : Oct 13 2015 | 4:13 AM IST
Libya's rival parliament and government both showed opposition to a UN-proposed peace deal installing a unity government Monday, with one lawmaker saying it would deepen rifts in the country.
"This government is rejected... It will deepen differences between the Libyan people," said Mahmud Abdel Aziz of the General National Congress, which has yet to vote on the plan.
The Tripoli-based GNC is refusing to discuss the proposed government until its demands are met for amendments to the UN-proposed plan for Libya, which plunged into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
In the aftermath of his fall and murder, the country has been ruled by powerful armed militias and has had two governments and two parliaments since August 2014.
The internationally recognised parliament is based in the east and met on Monday to discuss the UN-proposed unity government, lawmaker Ali Tekbali told AFP.
However, he also dismissed the UN plan, saying the government it has proposed is one of "divisions, not unity".
The talks in the eastern-based parliament are to continue on Tuesday, said the Lana news agency.
UN special envoy Bernardino Leon "wants to impose a fait accompli on us," Tekbali said.
The Tripoli-based government also rejected the proposal in a statement released late on Sunday.
On Friday, Leon proposed a unity government aimed at ending years of conflict in Libya, saying it would be headed by Fayez el-Serraj, a deputy in the Tripoli parliament.
It would also include three deputy prime ministers, one each from the west, east and south.
Leon made the announcement in Morocco after months of tough negotiations with Libyan political players and members of civil society.
World leaders and the United Nations have lauded the proposal and urged Libya's warring parties to sign the deal -- the latest in a string of initiatives aimed at restoring stability to the strife-torn country.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 13 2015 | 4:13 AM IST

Next Story