Libya rivals a far cry from unity despite UN push for peace deal

TRIPOLI

As the peace talks between Libya’s warring factions turned to a marathon at the weekend, serious doubts remained whether a unity government will be formed to save the war-torn country.

After a whole year of talks between Libya’s two rival parliaments, one based in Tripoli, which is supported by Islamist militants and the elected one in Tobruk, the negotiations reached a final and crucial stage.

The UN has pushed for a unity government for the rival factions to accept or to scrap the whole dialogue.

Both parliaments will have to vote on the deal.

Although the UN Special Envoy to Libya Bernandino Leon had several times released positive signals on the progress, saying final deal is just around the corner, the situation is, however, harsh.

Lawmakers from Libya’s two rival parliaments both have expressed objections over the UN proposal, saying the peace plan was unrealistic.

NO INTEREST
One member from Libya’s recognised parliament, House of Representatives (HOR), Abu Bakr Buera, has accused the UN of drafting the plan “at the expense of the Libyan interest.”

The rival parliament General National Congress (GNC), which supported by Libya’s Islamist factions, stuck to a hard-line stance, saying they will not even participate in the government.

Mr Leon had hoped the new unity government, presented both by rival factions, to emerge on September 20, and a final peace deal will be signed on October 20.

‘’It seemed the plan will not work out,” Mr A. Ahmad, an senior political expert from Libya’s official LANA agency said.

“Both sides lack the true interest to make one government, they are busy with their own business,” Mr Ahmad said.

According to local sources, both HOR and GNC have set up their own branches in major areas: two Central Bank, two National Oil Company and two LANA news agencies.

NO TIME TO WASTE
A source close to the diplomatic circle, which has been in contact with senior officials in Libya’s two governments, told Xinhua that both of the Libyan factions are chaotic and division is deep inside both governments.

The source added even their attitudes towards the UN peace plan were not consistent, so it might make a headache for the international community to read their mind.

Since Friday, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Britain and the United States have urged different factions to stick to the UN proposal, to end the conflict and divisions in the oil-rich North African country.

The UN envoy also called on all Libyans, including political leaders, to support the settlement. "There is no more time to waste," the statement said.