Resumption of dialogue between Libyan parliaments rivals in Morocco

The negotiations under the auspices of the UN between Libyan parliaments rival  resume Thursday in Skhirat, Morocco, in the hope of reaching agreement on a unity government in Libya  chaos, said a diplomatic source in Rabat.

“Delegations arrive tomorrow (Wednesday) and dialogue resume on Thursday, hoping to lead to concrete,” said the source who was talking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

Mohammed Saleh Al-Makhzoum, an official of the General National Congress (CGN)  “Parliament of Tripoli”confirmed to AFP the resumption of dialogue in Skhirat, near Rabat city where two sessions took place  last month . ” Our team arrived on Wednesday to start a new round of talks,” he said.

“Members of our Parliament are currently meeting to discuss the latest developments and identify issues to be addressed in new session,” added Mr. Al-Mahzoum.

Plagued by civil war, Libya currently has two governments and parliaments vying for power, one in Tripoli under the control of militias and the other in the east of the country, recognized by the international community.

The UN Security Council on Monday urged the participants in the negotiations “to agree on a unity government to end the crisis,” threatening sanctions against the troublemakers.

Sunday, two people died in Tripoli when gunmen fired machine gun in front of the Embassy of South Korea, closed like most other embassies in the Libyan capital. A few hours later, a bomb hidden in a bag exploded in the night outside the embassy of Morocco, causing no casualties.

Rabat condemned “criminal aggression” and called on Libya to open an investigation, while reiterating its support for the political process.

The UN Security Council on Monday urged participants in the negotiations on Libya to “agree on a national unity government to end the crisis” and threatened troublemakers sanctions .

In a statement adopted by consensus, the 15 members of the Council “took note” of the resumption of talks in Algiers on Monday and say “look forward to the next round of the Libyan dialogue provided in Morocco on April 15th.”

They say they are “very concerned about the continuing violence” in Libya and call on all warring parties to end hostilities.
They recall in this connection that the Council “is willing to punish those who threaten the peace, stability and security of Libya or hinder the political transition” in the country.