(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The United Nations will host talks between Libya's warring factions from today in Geneva, amid warnings that they could be the last chance for peace in the battle-scarred nation.
The talks will be overseen by UN envoy to Libya and the UN chief's special representative Bernardino Leon. A press conference is scheduled this afternoon before they start.
The oil-rich North African country is in tatters with rival governments and parliaments and a slew of militias fighting for territory.
"This is an opportunity the Libyans cannot afford to miss," the EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on the eve of the talks.
"I want to praise both sides participating and encourage all those in Libya that have not yet decided on participation... to do so". This is the opportunity the Libyans cannot afford to miss," she said. The UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo at the start of Libya's 2011 uprising, which ousted and killed dictator Muammar Gaddafi, to protect civilians from his forces.
But the country descended rapidly into chaos, despite UN efforts to contain the violence. It is now mired in its worst fighting since Kadhafi's downfall. And now, the head of the internationally-recognised government, Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni says his beleaguered government needs the embargo to be lifted to fight the militias.
"The international community must cooperate with Libya to put an end to extremism and terrorism and help government institutions, namely the army, by lifting the arms embargo," Thinni said ahead of the talks.
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