UN proposes national unity government in Libya

(Vatican Radio)  The United Nations has proposed a national unity government in Libya which marks a major step towards ending the conflict, following months of negotiations.

The UN envoy for Libya, Bernardino Leòn, announced the proposed government and named the prime minister as Fayez Sarraj.

Listen to the report by Liling Tan:

It's a deal that could end Libya's conflict that began with the fall of Muammar Gaddafi and split the country between two rival goverments.

But, for now, it's just a promise. The proposal still needs to be agreed on by warring factions, including hard-liners who want more amendments to the deal.

The proposal, announced by the UN envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, comes after months of unsucessful UN-sponsored talks.

Bernardino Leon said, "Our apologies for not having been able to propose this government before, but also our joy because there is at least a chance. And I would like to ask all these Libyans to think of an opportunity for their country, but also an opportunity for so many people in the region, in Syria, in Iraq, in Yemen: countries where they cannot even afford the luxury of what we are doing here today which is to propose something; to propose a list of names that can be agreed by everybody."

As the civil war is now it its fifth year, pressure is mounting from the international community to end the conflict that has allowed extremist elements to flourish and fueled migrant trafficking.