UNSMIL said in a statement Tuesday that "the dialogue [held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva] was elaborate and constructive and touched on some of the issues that were agreed upon in the agenda of the first dialogue round convened in Geneva in mid-January".
Stressing the need to speed up the process, UNSMIL said that "in order to reach a consensus formula on the national unity government to end the institutional crisis and safeguard, the country's unity" agreements must be reached on a "permanent and comprehensive ceasefire along with effective monitoring mechanism as well as arrangements for the withdrawal of armed groups from the cities, particularly the capital".
According to UNSMIL, Libya talks will continue in the coming weeks and "representatives of the municipal and local councils of towns and cities from across Libya" are expected to join the next meeting scheduled to take place in Geneva on Wednesday. Further dialogue will see the participation of Libyan "armed groups, political parties and societal and tribal forces".
Some senior officials were reportedly inside the hotel at the time of the explosion and several people were taken hostage. The French government has confirmed that the country's national was among the victims killed during the attack.
Libya has been in a state of social and political turmoil since the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Several militia groups have been fighting for power in the country.
According to the United Nations, thousands have died as a result of the civil war that has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Libya.
