Libya: UNSMIL presses Libyan rival groups to form unity government

UN Support Mission in Libya reiterated its call Monday to Libyan rival groups in the political dialogue to give way to understanding and allow the country’s interest to prevail and accepted to expand the Presidential Council from 6 to 9 members.

After numerous consultations with the main rival parties, the House of Representative (HoR) and the General National Congress (GNC,) as well as the other parties, the UN again urged factions to redouble efforts to complete the dialogue process and form a unity government, after the HoR and the GNC rejected the Government of National Accord proposed by the UN on October 8. The HoR and the GNC criticised the composition of the UN-proposed government which would be led by Fayez el-Sarraj, a GNC member.

To sooth criticism from the two rival groups the UN has agreed to expand the Presidential Council from 6 to 9 members which will now include the Prime Minister, five Deputy Prime Ministers, and three senior ministers.

After consultations with the UN Mission, the rival groups, seemingly approving the new configuration of the Presidential Council, argued that the new outlook of the future unity government will require “an increased level of cooperation and partnership among members of the Presidency Council, mainly between the Prime Minister and his deputies.”

Also, a separate report from the GNC indicated that a GNC team headed by First Deputy President Awad Abdul-Sadiq met in Tripoli on Sunday with some members from the HoR.

Reports say outcome of the meeting was positive and constructive.