‘Tense and difficult’ Libya talks to conclude today

The “tense and difficult” first round of talks between Libyan political groups in the Tunisian capital Tunis have ended without result.

Members of the Libyan Political Dialogue group (LPD) met with UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) minister Martin Kobler to discuss the country’s security situation and the political agreement signed last year in Morocco establishing the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). However, nine months later, the GNA led by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj has failed to sustain any legitimacy increasing the political instability in the country.

One of the members of the LPD, Jamel Achour, said the main aim of the meeting was to “find urgent solutions to the stifling climate facing the country”.

“The Libyan nation needs the presidential council to take concrete steps… to solve the problems we and our children are facing,” he said.

The meeting, which will conclude today, is an almost identical attempt made earlier this year by members of the LPD and the UNSMIL to come to an agreement on the same points currently being discussed in Tunis. The meetings conclude today.