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United Nations announces Libya unity government; 2 sides must OK names

The intergovernmental organisation proposes a presidential council to be set up comprising members from both the governments – one internationally recognised in the eastern city of Tobruk, while the other an Islamist-backed in Tripoli.

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“We believe (this government) can succeed”.

“The GNC decided yesterday not to propose names and to ask for more changes in the text”, United Nations envoy Bernardino Leon told reporters in the Moroccan city of Skhirat, site of recent talks.

The prime minister for the new government is Fayez Sarraj.

There are fears the proposal for a unity government will further divide the country, which has suffered unrest since dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.

Warring militia groups on both sides must also agree.

The UN-brokered Libyan political agreement was initiated in July, 2015 by the House of Representatives, alongside representatives of political parties, municipalities and civil society groups.

“This is not a proposal that the members of the dialogue have made”, he said, adding that the internationally-recognized National Transitional Council of Libya remains unsatisfied with the proposal.

Abdulsalam Bilashahir, of the Tripoli-based General National Congress, told the BBC: “We are not a part of this (proposed) government. Mr. Leon’s choice was unwise”.

“After months of turmoil and uncertainty, the Secretary-General urges Libyan leaders not to squander this opportunity to put the country back on the path to building a state that reflects the spirit and ambitions of the 2011 revolution”, the statement continued.

He said the conflict in Libya had cost many lives and about 2.4 million people were in need of humanitarian aid.

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The resolution would provide United Nations approval, and possibly greater legitimacy, to the European naval mission launched this week to board, search and seize vessels in global waters suspected of trafficking migrants from Libya to Europe.

Afghan refugees gather around a fire to warm themselves from the morning cold at the port of Mitylene on the northeast Greek island of Lesbos while waiting to get on board a ferry traveling to Athens early Friday Oct. 9 2015. More than 500,000 people