Rivals sign U. N. brokered ceasefire
GENEVA — The rival sides in Libya’s conflict signed a ceasefire Friday, a deal the United Nations billed as historic after years of fighting that has split the North African country in two. But skepticism over whether the agreement would hold emerged almost immediately.
The breakthrough sets the stage for political talks in November to find a lasting solution to the chaos unleashed after a 2011 NATObacked uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Khadafy.
Previous diplomatic initiatives to end the war have repeatedly collapsed — but the U. N. brokered deal aims to cement a monthslong lull in fighting and boost the political process.
“I am honored to be among you today to witness a moment that will go down in history,” said Stephanie Turco Williams, the top U. N. envoy for Libya, who led mediation talks this week in Geneva.
Foreign mercenaries will depart “from all Libyan territories land, air and sea” within three months, she added, referring to the thousands of Syrian fighters deployed by Turkey and Russia on opposite sides of the war. The agreement also involved the formation of a joint military force and a mechanism to monitor violations, Williams said, and will be sent to the U. N. Security Council.
But shortly after the announcement of the deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it did not appear to be credible — even as he expressed hope that all parties would stick to it.
Following Libya’s descent into chaos, a U. N. recognized government holds sway in the capital, Tripoli, in western Libya, while the forces of military commander Khalifa Hifter run most of the east and south. Turkey is the main patron of the Tripoli government, while the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt back Hifter. Both sides are also supported by an array of fractious militias.
Friday’s deal follows a series of breakthroughs since fighting came to a halt in June, when Hifter’s 14month campaign to capture Tripoli collapsed.