Rivals Agree 'İn Principle' To Move Peace Talks To Libya

Participants in the UN-facilitated Libyan political dialogue agreed on Thursday to move the next round of peace talks to Libya, if proper logistical and security conditions are present.



The agreement came after a second round of peace talks took place in Geneva in recent days with the participation of some of the opposing factions, in an effort to end the country's political and security crisis. 



Key representatives from the Tripoli-based government, however, refused to attend the talks, demanding the dialogue be held in Libya. 



"There was agreement on the principle of convening future dialogue sessions in Libya, provided that logistical and security conditions are available," read a statement released by the UN Mission for Libya. 



Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since the fall of the Gaddafi regime in 2011.



Rival militias have frequently clashed in the country's main cities, including the capital Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi.



The political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government in the country, each of which has its own institutions.



Vying for legislative authority are the newly-elected House of Representatives, which convenes in Tobruk, and the General National Congress, which – even though its mandate has ended – continues to convene in Tripoli.



The two assemblies support two different governments respectively headquartered in the two cities.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Cenevre