Rival Libya factions to discuss settlement in Cairo

Leaders of Libya's rival factions are due to meet on Tuesday in Cairo for joint talks on a political settlement in the country.

The Egypt-brokered talks will be led by head of UN-brokered Government of National Accord, Fayez Al-Serraj, and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. 

A spokesman for the UN-backed unity government said that Sarraj's meeting with Haftar could lead to a "180-degree turn".

The spokesman, Ashraf al-Tulty, said he hoped the Egyptian government will help bridge the gap. Egypt strongly supports Haftar.

The talks were initially planned for Monday but were postponed due to disagreements on the conditions set by the two sides, according to Arabic media.

Haftar will be accompanied by Abdul Basset Al-Badri, the Libyan ambassador to Riyadh, a political adviser and close friend. Sarraj will be joined by presidential council member Fathi Majbri.

Sarraj’s first choice was former prime minister Ahmed Maetig but Haftar refused to attend the meeting if he was present, reported the New Arab.

Haftar is allied with the Tobruk-based Libyan parliament, which meets in the east of the country and has rejected the UN-backed government, in part because of a dispute over his future role in the country.

Sarraj's government has failed over the past year in unifying Libya, which slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed Muammar Gadhafi.

Egypt's role

Both parties have been holding indirect talks through Egyptian intermediaries, including Egyptian chief of staff Mahmoud Hejazi, reported Egyptian media

Haftar has reportedly been under pressure from Egypt to meet Sarraj and agree on a compromise that would pave the way for a political settlement in Libya. 

Egypt is keen for a settlement which would bring security on its western border and the creation of jobs for Egyptians in a stable Libya.

Two million Egyptians were believed to be in Libya prior to 2014 remitting an estimated third of a billion dollars a year to Egypt.