UN hosts ‘last chance’ Libya peace talks

United Nations special envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon during a press conference ahead of Libyan talks on January 14, 2015 in Geneva. PHOTO | FABRICE COFFRINI |

What you need to know:

  • It has taken the UN months to get the opposing sides back to the negotiating table.
  • The talks will be over seen by the UN special envoy for Libya Bernardino Leon.

GENEVA

The United Nations gathered Libya’s rival factions for talks in Geneva on Wednesday, amid warnings the dialogue could be the last chance to halt intensifying fighting for the country’s main cities and oil wealth.

The North African nation has been gripped by deepening conflict since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in a Nato-backed uprising in 2011, with rival governments and powerful militias battling for control.

It has taken the UN months to get the opposing sides back to the negotiating table after a single round of talks in September.

But analysts warned that the Geneva negotiations between Libya’s political rivals were unlikely to have any impact on the ground unless the leaders of the warring armed groups become directly involved.

The talks will be over seen by the UN special envoy for Libya Bernardino Leon who has been shuttling between the parties to the conflict for months.

The talks are aimed at reaching agreement on the formation of a unity government to replace the rival administrations whose battle for power has left hundreds dead over the past six months.