ROME (Sputnik) – On December 12, Libya's warring parties agreed to December 16 as a date for signing the national unity government deal aiming to bring an end to the ongoing crisis.
“It was a very important and positive day, because the participants of the meeting supported the decision taken a few days ago, on the signing of an agreement that will give life to the government of national unity," Gentiloni said at a press conference.
The foreign minister stressed that solution to the Libyan crisis would still require constant work for a long time.
“We should not think that such a positive day will solve all problems, but it can be a turning point for the resolution of the Libyan crisis," Gentiloni said.
Libya has been in turmoil since early 2011, when Arab Spring protests led to a civil war and the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.
There are two rival governments in the country — one that is internationally recognized and based in Tobruk, and a self-proclaimed government in the former capital of Tripoli.
A UN-brokered dialogue on national reconciliation in Libya has been going on for a year.