UN Urges Libyan Support for Unity Government

United Nations officials are urging Libyans to support an agreement among the country’s warring factions to create a unity government.

 

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the deal an important step toward resolving the crisis in Libya, which has seen fighting and political chaos since the overthrow of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

 

The United Nations mediated the agreement at a conference in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, but it remains unclear whether it will draw wide support to end the bloodshed in Libya.

 

There was no immediate reaction from the country’s two legislatures, the internationally recognized government that operates out of Tobruk in eastern Libya and an Islamist-backed government in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

 

Martin Kobler, the head of the U.N. mission in Libya, said “hard work lies ahead” and that Libyans have a “sterling opportunity” to unite and build their country. He called on Libyan lawmakers to endorse the agreement.

 

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