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Libya’s warring parties participate in ‘productive’ cease-fire talks, UN says

The UN Mission in Libya said the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army were involved in another round of truce talks.

Fighters loyal to Libya's internationally recognised government are seen on military vehicle after regaining control over the city, in Tripoli, Libya, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny - RC2D2H9TCSV0
Fighters loyal to Libya's internationally recognized government are seen on a military vehicle after regaining control over the city of Tripoli, June 4, 2020. — REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny

Libya’s warring parties have returned to the negotiating table in hopes of brokering a permanent cease-fire, the United Nations mission in the country said today.  

The UN Mission in Libya said “productive” talks have been held during which the delegations discussed “the latest developments on the ground and to receive their comments on the draft cease-fire agreement.” The mission held the first set of talks with the Libyan National Army on June 3 and the second set with the UN-recognized Government of National Accord on Tuesday. Both sets of talks were conducted via remote connections.

The UN said in a statement that while the UN mission “commends the seriousness and the commitment" of the parties, "it calls on them to de-escalate to avoid further civilian casualties and new waves of displacement.”

The talks come after the Libyan National Army, led by eastern-based commander Khalifa Hifter, suffered a massive setback in Tripoli at the hands of the Government of National Accord, which announced last week it had regained full control of the capital city after more than a year of fighting. 

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