Unity government formed in Libya

World powers call for backing of new administration under UN-brokered deal

A Libyan unity government was formed yesterday under a UN-brokered deal aimed at ending years of bloodshed, but it was unclear whether the leaders have wide support from the warring sides.

World powers are appealing to the country’s rival parliaments to back the new administration to end the political paralysis that has provided fertile ground for terrorists and people smugglers.

But less than half of the members of the two parliaments signed up to the UN-sponsored agreement last month.

The unity government, headed by businessman Fayez Al Sarraj, who was named prime minister-designate under the UN-sponsored accord, comprises 32 ministers, the administration announced on its Facebook page. “I congratulate Libyan people & Presidency Council on formation of Govt. of National Accord,” UN envoy Martin Kobler wrote on Twitter.

He urged the country’s internationally recognised parliament to endorse the unity government.

There was no immediate reaction from the country’s two legislatures.

Kobler, a veteran German diplomat, became UN special envoy for Libya in November, taking on his predecessor Bernardino Leon’s task of brokering a unity government.

Libya has been in chaos since the 2011 expulsion of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. A militia alliance overran Tripoli in August 2014, establishing its own government and parliament and causing the internationally recognised administration to flee to the remote east.

The power-sharing deal has been given added urgency by fears that Daesh is building a new stronghold on Europe’s doorstep.