Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


         Libya's UN-backed Presidential Council Reaches Tripoli by Ship

   by Reuters

   Members of Libya's U.N.-backed Presidential Council reached Tripoli by
   ship on Wednesday, defying attempts to keep them out of the city and
   prevent them
   from installing a unity government.

   Seven members of the Council including Fayez Seraj, its head and the
   new government's prime minister, arrived from Tunisia at Tripoli's
   Abusita naval base amid tight security.

   A separate self-declared government also based in Tripoli and armed
   groups that back it had warned the Council and the unity government not
   to travel to the capital.

   Tripoli's airspace was closed for several hours on Sunday and Monday, a
   move the Council said was designed to prevent it from reaching Libya.

   Seraj told Reuters that the council members had travelled in a Libyan
   navy vessel from the Tunisian port of Sfax, a 12-hour journey.

   "There are challenges ahead of us, including uniting Libyans and
   healing divisions," he said after arriving.

   He later made a brief statement saying the government would release a
   program in the coming days.

   "We will work for a cease-fire across Libya, for national
   reconciliation and the return of displaced people, and we will seek to
   confront Islamic State," he said.

   The government of national accord (GNA) emerged from a U.N.-mediated
   deal signed in December aimed at ending the country's political
   impasse, resolving its armed conflict and tackling a growing threat
   from Islamic State jihadists.

   Western powers have recognized it as Libya's sole legitimate
   government, but it has faced continuing opposition from hardliners in
   both eastern and western Libya.

   Since 2014 Libya has had two competing pairs of parliaments and
   governments, both backed by loose alliances of armed brigades. The
   government in Tripoli was brought to power by armed factions that won a
   battle for control of the capital in 2014.

   Tripoli, home to many such factions, has seen sporadic clashes in the
   past few days. Early on Wednesday, loud explosions followed by heavy
   gunfire were heard over the city.

   Ahead of its arrival, the Council said it had negotiated a security
   plan with police and military forces in Tripoli, and with some armed
   groups.

   The road outside the naval base was heavily secured with checkpoints
   and armored vehicles on Wednesday.

   Security forces were also stationed inside the base, and some guards
   arrived with the Council members.

   The Council has called for an immediate transfer of power to the unity
   government, though both the Tripoli and eastern-based governments
   oppose this.

   The unity government's 18 members have so far failed to secure a vote
   of approval from Libya's eastern, internationally-recognized
   parliament, as required under the U.N.-mediated deal, and Fathi
   al-Mrimi, a spokesman for eastern parliament's president, said its
   arrival was "premature."

   "They have entered by force under foreign protection, and Libyans won't
   accept anything imposed on them by force," he told Reuters.

   U.N. Libya envoy Martin Kobler welcomed the Council's arrival, saying
   the international community was "ready to provide the required support
   and assistance", and that all Libyan security actors had a
   responsibility to ensure its safety.

   The EU, as well as the French, British and Italian foreign ministers
   also greeted the move.

   "We stand ready to respond positively to requests for support and
   assistance from the GNA to help them restore stability to Libya,
   rebuild the economy, fight Daesh (IS) and tackle the criminal gangs
   that threaten the security of Libyans and exploit illegal migrants,"
   said British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/libya-tripoli-presidential-council/32
   61851.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/libya-tripoli-presidential-council/3261851.html