Foreign ministers set to endorse Libyan national unity plan

ALGIERS, Dec 13 After a year of United Nations talks to end Libya’s conflict, Western powers are coaxing the warring factions closer to a deal they hope can help stop the spread of Islamic State militancy in the North African country.

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A joint statement issued after the conference urged “all parties to accept an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire in all parts of Libya” and pledged economic, security and counterterrorism assistance for the unity government.

Citing the Agreement as a “unique opportunity”, Mr. Kobler said that it is unlikely that there will be other opportunities without inflicting further suffering and hardship on the Libyan people.

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said it is important to “keep an eye on Libya”, but for the time being the United Kingdom will focus on tackling Islamic State in Syria.

Mr. Kobler stressed that the meeting in Tunis revealed that the Libyans expect support from the Security Council and from the wider global community, and he emphasized that this support is indispensable to help them to forge “peace through unity”.

Meanwhile, the growing presence of the so-called Islamic State (IS) group in Libya, and especially in the coastal city of Sirte, was a factor of major concerns for the worldwide community.

Neither of the opposing parliaments in Tripoli and the east has voted to adopt the plan, but it is believed it could be signed in Rome without a formal vote in Libya.

The meeting was also attended by the country’s two main rival factions and 15 officials representing different groups including armed ones fighting each other on the ground.

Libya’s Islamic State woes have also been troublesome for its neighbors. Tunisian authorities said the gunman trained at a militant camp in Libya.

“It is clear that Libya needs to have one government that is capable of getting trained and equipped in order to be able to take on Daesh more effectively”, said the senior U.S. State Department official.

The ministry, which is co-hosting the conference with Kerry, said participants include representatives of the two rival parliaments – the General National Congress, based in Tripoli, and the internationally-recognized House of Representatives based in Tobruk in eastern Libya.

On Friday, Salah el-Makhzoum, a vice president in the parliamentary body based in Tripoli, said it was a “happy day” when he announced the deal would signed December 16.

Libya slid into chaos following the 2011 toppling and killing of dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

In previous rounds of talks, the two sides agreed that U.N.-nominated Fayez Serraj would lead the new government.

Kerry said the deal was for a government of national unity to be set up within 40 days of the agreement being signed.

Yet, the conference confirmed the peace agreement would be signed on Wednesday in Morocco.

Lastly, he appealed to the sense of patriotism and statesmanship of Libya’s leaders to give consideration to the country’s higher national interests and the long-term welfare of its people.