Though the UN had initially supported the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by interim prime minister Abdul Hamied Dbeibah, the special advisor on Libya to the UN secretary general, Stephanie Williams, has now refused to take sides and has called for talks

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

GNA prime minister Fayez Al-Sarraj said in a televised speech on September 16 that the UN-sponsored peace negotiations have succeeded in the rival sides entering a ‘new preparatory phase’

The government in the eastern part of Libya resigned after four days of protests against cash shortages, frequent power cuts and increasingly high fuel prices

Both the Government of National Accord and the House of Representatives which supports the Libyan National Army made announcements indicating an end to all hostilities, as well as the demilitarization of the cities of Sirte and Al-Jufrah

The move is being seen as part of Turkey’s attempts to consolidate its position as a regional hegemon. The actual deployment of troops will take place once the Turkish parliament ratifies the decision

The proxy war being waged in Libya for almost a decade has heated up with regional and international powers, including Turkey, competing for greater control over the region’s resources