UN chief Ban Ki-moon pleaded yesterday for Libya’s unity government to be allowed to start work quickly and called for anyone obstructing the peace process to be held accountable.
Ban, speaking in Tunisia, called for a UN-backed presidential council to be permitted to work towards “the immediate peaceful and orderly handover of power to the government of national accord.”
He also urged Libya’s internationally recognised parliament, based in the country’s east, “to uphold its responsibilities” in implementing a UN-brokered power-sharing deal announced in December.
“Those obstructing the political process should be held accountable. The Libyan people deserve peace, security and prosperity under a strong, united government,” he said.
The power-sharing deal aims to end years of political turmoil in the North African state that has been exploited by jihadists and people-smugglers.
But both of Libya’s rival authorities - the government backed by the recognised parliament and another supported by armed groups in the capital - have refused to cede power to the unity government.