The presidential council in Libya announced a new suggestion Sunday for a government of national unity, according to an UN-backed plan aiming to end the conflict in the country.
One of the presidential council members, Fathey Al Mugeery, said in a TV statement that a list of 13 ministers and five state ministries, who will operate without bureaucratic institutions, was sent to the internationally recognised parliament for approval.
However, two of the nine members in the presidential council did not sign the final proposal according to a document published in the presidential council’s page on Facebook.
The UN-backed plan aims to reach an agreement between the two warring parties in Libya so as to be a starting point in fighting the spread of terrorism. Since the signing of this UN agreement in Morocco, there have been several objections from both sides as well as delays.
Al-Mugeery urged Libyans who suffered due to the war and the parliament members to support this government in order to end the conflict. Discord broke out in Libya after the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi five years ago. Since 2014, the country has been home to two warring parliaments, supported by several troops on the ground.
The “Islamic State” (IS) took advantage of the political conflict and started to spread to other locations, including the city of Sirte.
Libya’s internationally recognised parliament refused the first proposal for a government of national unity because the number of ministries was too high. The prospect prime minister and head of the presidential council, Fayez Al Sarrag, said the selection was based on experience and efficiency.
UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler congratulated Libya on this step and urged the parliament to endorse the new government. “This is an opportunity we shall not waste,” he said on his Twitter account. Libyans will be looking to a new united government to re-unite state institutions and restore stability, he said.
