Rival Libya leaders agree to elections after talks in Paris

THE leaders of four rival Libyan factions have committed to holding parliamentary and presidential elections in the strife-torn country in December, after a peace conference in Paris.

The four men also agreed to “accept the results of elections, and ensure appropriate funds and strong security arrangements are in place”.

During four hours of talks in Paris, the leaders came under international pressure to agree on a political path.

Representatives from 20 countries including Egypt, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey attended the talks, as well as neighbours Algeria and Tunisia.

Libya has been riven since a 2011 Nato-backed revolt that brought Muammar Gaddafi’s reign to an end.

The four leaders included Fayez alsarraj, the prime minister and head of the Un-backed unity government in Tripoli, and Khalifa Haftar, 75, whose Libyan National Army dominates the country’s east. Also present were Aguila Saleh Issa, the parliament speaker based in Tobruk, and Khalid Al-mishri, the new head of the High Council of State.