Libya: EU urges implementation of peace plan

The European Union (EU) on Friday called on Libyans to accelerate implementation of the peace deal signed December 17 in Morocco, under the auspices of the United Nations.

The deal aims to bring together rival administrations that split the country in August 2014 – when an Islamist-backed militia alliance overran the capital city of Tripoli.

The EU is particularly concerned about the advance of the Islamic state group and the attacks in the country.

The deal will be led by the businessman Fayez el Sarra,named in a UN-brokered national unity government as prime minister designate.

The EU said it has also pledged $108 million to Libya to fight IS. The funds will be available from the first day the unity government comes to power because the security situation “needs to be tackled immediately”, according to European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini.