UN launches forum for intra-Libyan talks after ceasefire deal

The United Nations said on Sunday that Libya's rival factions would hold political talks, days after the two main parties in the country's conflict agreed to a ceasefire.

Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya Stephanie Williams announced the launch of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), saying it would hold its first meeting online on Monday.

In-person talks are due to start on November 9 in Tunisia.

On Friday, Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and another delegation representing the rival self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) reached a country-wide permanent ceasefire agreement in Geneva. The deal has rekindled hopes for an end to the years-long conflict in the North African country.

 

Seventy-five Libyans from different constituencies are due to attend Monday's online talks, according to Williams.

The LPDF forum was originally established after an international conference on Libya held in Berlin on 19 January.

"Invited participants in the LPDF are drawn from different constituencies, based on the principles of inclusivity, fair geographic, ethnic, political, tribal, and social representation," Williams said in a statement.

"The overall objective of the LPDF will be to generate consensus on a unified governance framework and arrangements that will lead to holding national elections in the shortest possible timeframe," the UN mission said.    (dpa)