United Nations announces Libya unity government; 2 sides must OK names

Abdulsalam Bilashahir, of the Tripoli-based General National Congress, told the BBC: “We are not a part of this (proposed) government”. He had actually assured reporters Tuesday night that the unity government would be announced on Wednesday after the GNC sends its list of names as promised.

The UN’s envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon made the announcement late Thursday.

“We will be able to propose a government”, Leon told a press conference in the Moroccan city of Skhirat, where negotiations have been under way since July between the GNC and its rival, Libya’s internationally recognized House of Representatives (HoR).

The United Nations proposal for a government of national unity faces problems on the ground, with doubts over whether hardliners will give ground through fighting. “This was not an easy task”.

The envoy’s chief diplomat, Bernardino Leon, also provided a list of people who have agreed to be president council members and prime minister deputies.

Both sides must accept the deal, which aims to end the ongoing conflict between Tripoli’s self-declared rulers and the internationally-recognised government in the east.

“All of them will work as a team”, Leon said.

The agreement comes as Western countries have raised concern the “Islamic State” militant group has taken advantage of the instability to carve out territory and influence in the oil-rich country. Many have died on the journey.

Libya is stuck within the battle amongst the sought after government and also its particular selected parliament, and a fake government regulating Tripoli, by using both sides sits on contend bonds of furnished factions.

The United Nations says an estimated 2.44 million people in Libya – almost 40% of the country’s population – are in need of protection and a few form of humanitarian aid.

“After months of turmoil and uncertainty, the secretary-general urges Libyan leaders not to squander this opportunity to put the country back on the path to building a state that reflects the spirit and ambitions of the 2011 revolution”, Ban said.

“This, if supported by all Libyans, will be the best government in the world”, Leon said.