UN to Host Libya Talks in Geneva Next Week

UNITED NATIONS, January 10 (Sputnik) — The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) will host a new round of talks between the parties of the Libyan conflict next week in Geneva, the United Nations announced on Saturday.

“Libyan parties have agreed to hold a new round of political dialogue with a view to ending the country's political and security crisis,” the UNSMIL said in a statement.

UNSMIL added that UN Special Representative for Libya Bernardino Leon has proposed the parties to the conflict "a freeze in military operations for a few days.”

According to the United Nations, the primary objective of the talks will be to reach agreement on the management of the "remainder of the transitional period, including the formation of a unity government that enjoys wide support," in order to pave the way for a stable environment in Libya. In addition, the negotiations will also touch on security arrangements to stop armed hostilities in the country.

Libya is facing a wave of violence since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The internal political crisis has resulted in a two-government system, with the Islamist-backed, self-proclaimed government of Omar al-Hasi contesting the leadership of Abdullah al-Thani's internationally recognized government. In addition, government forces are fighting with numerous armed rebel groups.