The government of Libya today declared a ceasefire by the military ahead of second round of peace talks to be held here next week, two days after rival factions also declared a truce in the war-torn nation.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has welcomed the announcement made by the internationally recognised Abdullah al-Thinni government.
"We declare a ceasefire from midnight (22:00 GMT) Sunday," the army said today.
Calling the truce a "significant contribution" the mission urged the parties "to ensure that the ceasefire applies to ground, sea and air operations as well as movement of armed personnel and vehicles".
Libya has been in turmoil after the 2011 NATO-backed revolt to oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The government of elected Prime Minister al-Thinni has been relegated to the east of the country by the rival self-declared parliament of Libya Dawn which operates from the northwest of the country and controls major cities of Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi.
The civil war has killed thousands and closed two major oil ports slashing Libya's oil output from 1.6 million barrels a day before 2011 to around 300,000 barrels at present.
The 15-member Security Council in light of the talks in Geneva held last week "recalled resolution 2174 (2014) and emphasised that the Sanctions Committee is prepared to sanction those who threaten Libya's peace, stability or security or that obstruct or undermine the successful completion of its political transition".
The Council also commended the personal mediation efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Bernardino Leon.
The first round of Geneva talks ended with an agreement on a roadmap to form a unity government following two days of peace talks. The Libya Dawn did not attend the first round of peace talks.
Regarding participation in the second round of UN-brokered talks, Omar Hmeidan, spokesperson for the General National Congress (GNC), said, "Talks must be in Ghat (in Libya), not in Geneva".
The European Union has called the Geneva talks the "last chance" to resolve Libya's political crisis.
