UN says 'differences' emerge in Libya peace talks

The UN said on Friday it was trying to narrow differences between Libya's rival parliaments over an agreement aimed at forming a unity government to end unrest tearing the country apart, as fresh fighting broke out near the capital Tripoli.

The differences emerged in written observations by the two sides on the agreement envoy Bernardino Leon is trying to clinch, said Samir Ghattas, spokesman for the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

"We have received the text from the parties on their remarks. There are differences that we are working to narrow," he said in statement texted to AFP.

"But there are many elements that they are in agreement on," he added, without elaborating.

Leon did not meet the delegates on Friday, as he had done since the talks to thrash out an agreement resumed two days earlier in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat.

But he reportedly spent the day reviewing written observations to try to find common ground.

The impasse comes as forces of the Western-backed House of Representatives government attacked a base controlled by the rival General National Congress administration near the capital Tripoli, with at least 21 people killed in the clashes, including three civilian women.

The fighting marks a new front to the east of Tripoli as pro-HoR forces attempt to regain the capital, under the control of the GNC since August.

Libya has been divided since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed former leader Muammar Gaddafi, with the two opposing governments and parliaments and armed groups now battling to control its cities and oil wealth.

On 24 March, UNSMIL unveiled a six-point plan to end the crisis, including the formation of a transitional unity government until a new constitution is adopted and elections held.

'Definitive agreement'

Earlier on Friday, Mohammed Chouaib of the HoR told AFP his delegation had handed Leon written observations.

"We hope that the dialogue will resume in order to reach a definitive agreement in the next two days," he added.

Mohamed Maazab, a member of the GNC, said his group had also submitted remarks to Leon on the draft agreement.

He said the accord being considered aims to find "consensus on which authorities will take charge of the future transitional period". 

Leon warned on Wednesday that this round of talks would be the last.

"I really hope that the negotiators that are coming today are understanding that we cannot wait any more and this will really be the final round," he said.

Tawfiq Othman from the HoR delegation told AFP that he expects the talks to continue after Sunday.

"The UN mission is working today and tomorrow on our observations to formulate a third draft, which will be a new starting point for further discussions," he said.

One sticking point, Othman said, was the GNC's insistence on being represented in the legislature, as well as in the government.

"This is very difficult for us. We agreed that it will participate in the government and we are negotiating this point, but their participation in the legislature will be very difficult," he said.

Othman's government is backed by the HoR, which was elected last June but fled the capital after it was seized by the Misratan Led Alliance of Libya Dawn in August.

Libya Dawn reformed the defunct GNC after their takeover of Tripoli, and formed a “national salvation” government they said was aimed at protecting the aims of the 2011 uprising.