LIBYA: The United Nations and European states on Sunday welcomed a UN peace deal initialled by some Libyan factions but not by the opposition as a step towards restoring stability there.
Plunged into chaos since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, Libya has two parliaments and governments vying for power, as a slew of armed groups battle for control of its oil wealth.
The elected parliament which initialled Saturday's agreement in Morocco, along with some members of political parties and civil society and local officials, is based in the eastern city of Tobruk.
The rival General National Congress (GNC) is based in Tripoli and was set up by a militia alliance, including Islamists, known as Fajr Libya, after it seized the capital last August.
The two sides have been locked in months of thorny negotiations brokered by UN envoy Bernardino Leon who has struggled to clinch a deal on a national unity government and hold fresh polls.
The GNC boycotted Saturday's ceremony in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat, saying Leon's draft deal was not "satisfactory" and calling for "modifications".
Nevertheless, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was "encouraged" by the initialling of the accord, a UN statement said.
AFP
