Libya's HoR to boycott UN-sponsored dialogue

Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives (HoR) has voted to suspend its participation in a UN-sponsored dialogue between Libya's warring camps, a lawmaker has said.

"Parliament has decided to summon parliamentary representatives to Tobruk for a meeting with lawmakers for consultations," MP Eissa al-Orebi told the Anadolu Agency, giving no reason for the move.

Abu Bakr Baeira, parliament's representative to the dialogue, confirmed the decision, voicing his personal regret over the development.

"The decision is unjustified and doesn't serve Libya's interests," he told reporters from Morocco, where the dialogue had been due to resume on Thursday.

"I'm surprised parliament took the decision, which will serve to hamper political dialogue," he said.

"We have no option but to return to Libya in conformity with the decision," he added.

The United Nations has been sponsoring talks between Libya's warring rivals aimed at ending months of infighting in the fractious North African country.

The UN has said that the Tobruk-based HoR and the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC) would represent the main parties to the dialogue.

The two legislative assemblies support two rival governments, respectively headquartered in Tobruk and Tripoli.

Both have substantial military capacities.

Since the ouster and death of strongman Muammar Qaddafi in late 2011, rival militias have frequently clashed in Libya's main cities, including capital Tripoli and Benghazi.