Agreement reached on political solution to Libya conflict: officials

A new representative body that would lead to the nomination of a prime minister could be set up within 15 days.

Awad Mohammed Abdul Sadiq, the first deputy head of the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC), and Ibrahim Fethi Amish from the internationally recognised House of Representatives, sign documeShow more

GAMMARTH, TUNISIA // Warring Libyan factions meeting in Tunisia said on Sunday they had reached an agreement to be approved by rival parliaments on ending the political deadlock that has plagued the country since Muammar Qaddafi’s overthrow.

“This is a historic moment the Libyans were waiting for, the Arabs were waiting for and the world was waiting for,” said Awad Mohammed Abdul Sadiq, the first deputy head of the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC).

GNC officials had been holding talks in the suburbs of Tunis for several days with delegates from the internationally recognised House of Representatives.

Mr Abdul Sadiq called on Libyans to support what he called “a historic opportunity”.

“If this solution receives real Libyan support — from the people and institutions — we will surely arrive in no more than two weeks or a month to a solution to solve the political crisis,” he told a press conference.

Amna Emtair from the GNC delegation said the agreement would set up a new representative body that would choose a committee to nominate a prime minister within 15 days, while another committee would conduct a review of Libya’s constitution.

“It is a major breakthrough,” Mr Emtair said.

Libya descended into chaos after the October 2011 removal and killing of longtime leader Qaddafi, with two governments vying for power and armed groups battling for control of its vast energy resources.

A militia alliance including extremists militants overran Tripoli in August 2014, establishing a rival government and a parliament that forced the internationally recognised administration to flee to the country’s remote east.

* Agence France-Presse