Lead Tripoli negotiator quits just before UN-led Libya talks set to resume

One of the lead negotiators of the Tripoli delegation reportedly quit just ahead of the latest round of UN-sponsored Libya talks, expected to resume on Thursday in Morocco.

Saleh Makhzoum, head of the Tripoli-based General National Congress’s (GNC) negotiation team, also resigned as deputy GNC president, which was accepted and approved by the parliament’s speaker, Nuri Abu Sahmain, according to Reuters and local reports.

It was not immediately clear whether the GNC would move forward with Thursday’s scheduled dialogue.

On Wednesday, the UN envoy overseeing the talks said they were entering their final stages and that the trust deficit between Libya’s rival factions had narrowed.

"This has been a difficult and challenging process, but one that has proven increasingly resilient, despite repeated attempts by spoilers on all sides whose narrow interests and agendas dictate against a peaceful solution to the conflict in Libya," said Bernadino Leon as he briefed the Security Council via video-conference from Paris.

The UN’s political dialogue, which aims to bring the rival seats of government in Tobruk and Tripoli together into a unity government, began in January.

"Time is running out. The onus is on Libya’s leaders on all sides, and at all levels, to make that final push towards peace," Leon said on Wednesday.