TRIPOLI \u2014 The United Nations and European states on Sunday welcomed a UN peace deal initialed by some Libyan factions but not by the opposition as a step towards restoring stability there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plunged into chaos since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has two parliaments and governments vying for power, as a slew of armed groups battle for control of its oil wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The elected parliament which initialed Saturday’s agreement in Morocco, along with some members of political parties and civil society and local officials, is based in the eastern city of Tobruk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rival General National Congress (GNC) is based in Tripoli and was set up by a militia alliance, including Islamists, known as Fajr Libya, after it seized the capital last August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two sides have been locked in months of thorny negotiations brokered by UN envoy Bernardino Leon who has struggled to clinch a deal on a national unity government and hold fresh polls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The GNC boycotted Saturday’s ceremony in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat, saying Leon’s draft deal was not “satisfactory” and calling for “modifications.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was “encouraged” by the initialing of the accord, a UN statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“He looks forward to the speedy conclusion of the full agreement and its implementation,” a spokesman for the UN chief said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This act is a clear demonstration of political will and courage and brings the country one step closer to resolving the current institutional and security crisis.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An ‘Important Step’ <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ban urged “all Libyans” to move the transition process forward by forming a national unity government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UN Security Council has urged Libyan factions to sign on to Leon’s proposals in a bid to stem rising violence and the spread of radical organizations such as the Islamic State group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The jihadists have taken advantage of Libya’s divisions to establish itself in the country, close to Europe’s shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Italy and the European Union also welcomed the agreement as a step toward restoring peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi tweeted that it was an “important step in efforts to stabilize the region and re-establish peace in this great country.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Renzi said a solution to the conflict in Libya was “central” to battling “terrorism and (illegal) immigration.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Italy has repeatedly said an accord would help stem the flow of migration to Europe from Africa via Libya \u2014 where people smugglers have stepped up their lucrative business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The International Organization for Migration said Friday that some 150,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year, with nearly all landing in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini welcomed Saturday’s deal as “an important step towards restoring peace and stability in Libya” and urged the GNC to initial it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tobruk government, recognized internationally, has welcomed what it called a “huge breakthrough”, urging all Libyan parties to overcome their differences and finalize the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Door Remains Open’ <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“What happened in Morocco is positive,” said political activist Othman al-Sassi, stressing that Libya needs a national unity government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The Congress was not present but other parties to the Libyan conflict initialed the political agreement and that is a breakthrough,” said Sassi, himself a former GNC member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leon told Saturday’s ceremony in Morocco the door to further negotiations would remain open, expressing confidence that the GNC will return to the talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is one but a very important step on the road to peace … a peace, which all Libyans have been long seeking to achieve,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The door remains open for those who chose not to be here today… I am confident that in the weeks ahead we will try to clarify the issues that remain contentious,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deal initialed on Saturday was the fourth draft Leon had proposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It consists of six points aimed at “laying the foundation for a modern, democratic state based on the principle of inclusion, the rule of law, separation of powers and respect for human rights”, Leon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the sticking points is a call for “respecting the judiciary,” a possible reference to a Supreme Court decision invalidating the Tobruk parliament which was elected in June 2014.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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