The UN-sponsored second global Conference on Libya demanded that all foreign forces and mercenaries need to be withdrawn without delay. However, Turkey has raised objections to the call

The ICC has reiterated calls by the United Nations last week urging Libyan armed factions and foreign fighters to free people that are being illegally detained in the country’s official and unofficial detention centers

Turkish troops and mercenaries backed by it were deployed in Libya last year following an agreement with the Government of National Accord. The UN has repeatedly called for all foreign soldiers to be withdrawn from the country

The 11 refugees were aboard an overloaded dinghy. Another 12 peoples were rescued by the Libyan coast guard and will be sent back to refugee camps in the country

The interim government is led by prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and consists of 33 ministers, including two deputy prime ministers. It will administer the country till the December 2021 elections

In its first united meeting since divisions in 2014, in Sirte, the Libyan House of Representative is expected to approve a 35 member unity government proposed by prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah

Though all warring factions have supported the elections of the interim government earlier this month there are certain uncertainties about its success including the continued presence of foreign troops in the country

Representatives of Libyan groups are meeting in Geneva from February 1-5 to decide on a prime minister and a three-member presidency council from a list of 45 candidates

The UN hailed the progress made in the intra-Libyan dialogue in the last couple of months that has raised hopes of the end of war in the country. Libya has been in chaos since the NATO-led invasion which overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011

The talks, which are being held virtually, aim to identify criteria for selecting authorities to administer the country till the elections. In the first round of talks, it was decided that elections will be held in December 2021

The talks in Brega led to an agreement to create a joint force to protect the facilities. The political talks that were going in parallel did not lead to an agreement on a transitional government

The small dinghy was reportedly carrying over 120 people of whom at least 47 were rescued. Every year, hundreds of migrants are killed in similar accidents while trying to reach Europe from Libya or other countries in the region