Libya PM says will meet rival for talks in Cairo

AFP, ROME: The head of Libya’s unity government said Wednesday he would soon hold talks with a rival field marshal to try to halt his country’s descent into chaos, Italian media reported.
Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, said he would meet in Cairo with Khalifa Haftar, whose forces support a rival administration, “possibly within days”.
“I confirm (the meeting) will take place soon,” Sarraj told Italian daily Corriere della Sera, adding that he and Haftar would “search for a solution for Libya”.
Libya has been riven by lawlessness and violence since the 2011 NATO-backed ouster of longtime strongman Moammer Kadhafi, with rival parliaments and armed groups vying for control of the country and its vital oil wealth.
Sarraj’s UN-backed government was installed in Tripoli last year but has struggled to assert itself further east, where a rival parliament and Haftar’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army hold sway.
Egypt said last week it was working to organise direct talks between the leaders.

Libya PM says will meet rival for talks in Cairo

AFP, ROME: The head of Libyas unity government said Wednesday he would soon hold talks with a rival field marshal to try to halt his countrys descent into chaos, Italian media reported. Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, said he would meet in Cairo with Khalifa Haftar, whose forces support a rival administration, possibly within days. I confirm (the meeting) will take place soon, Sarraj told Italian daily Corriere della Sera, adding that he and Haftar would search for a solution for Libya. Libya has been riven by lawlessness and violence since the 2011 NATO-backed ouster of longtime strongman Moammer Kadhafi, with rival parliaments and armed groups vying for control of the country and its vital oil wealth. Sarrajs UN-backed government was installed in Tripoli last year but has struggled to assert itself further east, where a rival parliament and Haftars self-proclaimed Libyan National Army hold sway. Egypt said last week it was working to organise direct talks between the leaders.