LIBYA: Rivals agree ‘historic’ election plan

Rival factions in Libya have agreed to hold parliamentary and presidential elections on 10 December. The four groups, meeting in the French capital, Paris, also agreed to adopt the necessary laws by mid-September. French President Emmanuel Macron described the accord as historic and an essential step towards reconciliation. Libya has been in a state of […]

Rival factions in Libya have agreed to hold parliamentary and presidential elections on 10 December.

The four groups, meeting in the French capital, Paris, also agreed to adopt the necessary laws by mid-September.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the accord as historic and an essential step towards reconciliation.

Libya has been in a state of lawlessness since the toppling and killing of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The North African nation is now controlled by disparate armed groups and fighting is continuing in the east and south of the country.

European leaders see stabilising Libya as key to tackling jihadist threats and migration from the country, which has become a departure point for hundreds of thousands of Africans trying to reach Europe.