New Libya government must have Tripoli headquarters: UN

ALGIERS
UN envoy Martin Kobler on Monday urged the speedy formation of a Libyan national unity government and said it should be installed in the capital Tripoli, Algerian state media reported.

Kobler said the turmoil that has wracked Libya since the 2011 revolution that toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi had created a “political and military vacuum” and helped the spread of the Islamic State group, the APS news agency said.

“We must advance on the political process by installing a government in Tripoli,” it quoted Kobler as saying after talks in Algiers with the minister in charge of Maghreb affairs, Abdelkader Messahel.

Libya has had two rival administrations, with the recognised authorities based in the country’s far east and a militia-backed authority in Tripoli since the summer of 2014.

In mid-December, a minority of lawmakers from both sides signed a deal to unify the government and said the cabinet should be based in Tripoli.

A national unity government headed by businessman Fayez al-Sarraj and comprising 32 ministers was formed in January but was rejected by the recognised parliament.

The legislature demanded a trimmed line-up and Sarraj has been holding consultations with several key players to press for its creation.

Sarraj, who on Saturday met controversial army chief General Khalifa Haftar, who is opposed by the Tripoli-based administration, is expected to announce a new line-up within days.

Delaying the formation of a government plays into the hands of IS, Kobler warned.