Global powers urge Libya to sign UN-brokered peace deal

An international meeting calling for an immediate ceasefire across Libya has been held in Italy to urge Libyan political groups to sign a peace deal brokered by the United Nations.

On Sunday, representatives from 17 countries including Egypt, Germany, Russia, the US, Turkey, and China signed a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and promising to cut off contacts with factions that do not sign the deal.

“We stand ready to support the implementation of the political agreement and underline our firm commitment to providing the Government of National Accord with full political backing and technical, economic, security and counter-terrorism assistance, as requested,” the statement said.

Libya is run by two main rival factions.The country’s capital Tripoli, is controlled by a political faction allied to powerful armed forces based in the city of Misrata which reinstated the previous parliament in the capital.

The internationally-recognized government of Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni is based in the eastern city of Bayda, with its elected parliament moved from the capital Tripoli to Tobruk.