Libya: UN recommends united army to combat insurgents

Members of Libya’s political dialogue which negotiated the creation of the Libyan Unity government met in Tunis on Saturday to discuss the creation of a united army as a way to seek political unity and stop jihadists threats.

According to the UN special envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, all problems in Libya today are linked to the insecurity situation and the best way to curb this is to give full authority to the presidential council of the Unity government.

He added that Libyan unity can only be guaranteed by a united army.

The Libyan unity government was installed three months ago in accordance with an inter Libyan agreement spearheaded by the United Nations and signed in Morocco in December 2015.

But it is still struggling to find the right footing as a result of stiff resistance from a rival army faction in the east controlled by General Khalifa Haftar.

The UN special envoy says all efforts so far to book a rendez-vous with General Khalifa Haftar have remained futile, but hopes to have a meeting with the general to iron out differences.

“I want to meet with General Haftar, listen and understand him. I contact him every week to book an appointment but so far he has not agreed to meet me,” UN envoy, Martin Kobler said.

Another 2 day meeting to discuss the formation of a unified Libyan army will be held starting Monday in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

Libya was plunged into chaos in 2011 following a civil war which led to the toppling of Muammar Gadaffi.