Peace talks in Libya very difficult and on verge of collapse, UN envoy warns

Peace talks between Libya’s rival political factions appear to be on the verge of collapsing and “difficult” amid new clashes in and around Tripoli, United Nations envoy Bernardino Leon warned.

Libya’s UN-recognised government in Tobruk conducted air strikes on Saturday against airports and a military in Tripoli, and killed a senior commander loyal to the Tripoli government officials said.

Last year, the disbanded Libyan General National Congress that was replaced by the House of the Representatives in an election in June nominated an Islamist-backed prime minister, leaving the chaotic country with two rival prime ministers, governments and parliaments, each backed by armed militias.

On one side is the newly elected parliament that has been exiled to the eastern city of Tobruk – supported by what remains of Gaddafi soldiers who defected during the 2011 revolution. On the other side is Libya Dawn, a self-described revolutionary coalition of militiamen and Islamist-leaning politicians that originated in the western city of Misrata.

But rather than committing on an armed intervention, the United Nations is urging swift agreement among the main parties on resolving the crisis and ending the military and political conflict. On Saturday, UN-brokered peace talks continued between officials from the rival administration in Morocco’s capital Rabat.

However, UN special envoy Bernardino Leon, said reaching an agreement on the formation of a national unity government was “going to be difficult,” amid ongoing clashes in Tripoli.

"[On Friday] we had a new military operation against Tripoli precisely during decisive moments of the talks and our reaction today is as strong as it was in the past," Leon told reporters on Saturday.

"Military activities undermine the situation in Libya and prevent the unity of the Libyans fighting terrorism. This operation we condemn in the strongest possible terms because it's undermining dialogue."

A senior commander loyal to the Tripoli government was killed, while on Saturday, air strikes were carried out in and around the capital, including the airport.

The United States and five European allies issued a joint statement on Sunday condemning the violence by both sides and urging an end to the fighting. They welcomed resumption of the talks in Morocco and called for "good faith" efforts to reach a ceasefire and agree on a unity government.

Peace talks have dragged on for months in different venues but with little results as fighting continues to escalate.