Geneva: Peace talks between Libya’s warring factions kicked off in Geneva yesterday in what their United Nations mediator warned could be a last chance to prevent all-out chaos in the country.
The North African nation has been gripped by deepening conflict since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a Nato-backed uprising in 2011, with rival governments and powerful militias battling for control of key cities and the nation’s oil wealth.
It has taken the UN months to get the opposing sides back to the negotiating table after a single round of talks in September. “It’s going to be a long process, it’s going to be difficult,” the UN special envoy for Libya, Bernardino Leon, said. “We are not expecting to have a breakthrough tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” said Leon, who is overseeing the dialogue in the Swiss city.
“There is a gap between the parties, which is becoming more complicated with more fighting on the ground.” Analysts warn that the negotiations are unlikely to have any real impact unless the leaders of all the armed groups — some of whom are absent from the negotiations — become directly involved. The talks are aimed at reaching agreement on a unity government to replace the rival administrations, whose battle for power has left hundreds dead over the past six months.
They also seek to “put in place the necessary security arrangements for bringing about a total cessation of armed hostilities” and to “secure a phased withdrawal of all armed groups from all major towns and cities”. AFP
