EU welcomes Libya deal

Deputy President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini lauded the important step taken by the House of Representatives, independents and representatives of Misrata towards restoring peace and stability in Libya.

With the initialing of the political agreement, the Libyan parties proved their determination to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that, for almost one year, has divided, impoverished, and inflicted suffering on the Libyan people, she said in a statement.

"They have taken the future of Libya in their hands, in a responsible and courageous way," she added.

"I hope that those who have not yet initialed the agreement could display a similar spirit of consensus and responsibility, in the interest of all the Libyan people," she said.

The Tobruk-based parliament and government as well as representatives from municipalities in Tripoli and the western city of Misrata signed on Saturday an initial power-sharing agreement under the sponsorship of the UN but without the attendance of the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC) that asked more amendments to the UN-brokered deal.

She said the European Union is ready to support a government of national accord as soon as it is established, so that all Libyans can quickly reap the benefits of this move towards peace and stability.

"I would like to thank the UNSG Special Representative Bernardino Léon for his tireless efforts to bring parties towards a deal, and the Government of Morocco for supporting the UN led dialogue. The EU has been consistently and actively supporting this process and is committed to continue to do so in the future."

Meanwhile, the interim Libyan government led by Abdullah al-Thinni welcomed the initial agreement, saying it is a right step on the road to get Libya out of the current crisis.

It urged all sides to put the country's interest above any other interest and to join efforts to form a national unity government that would lead Libyans in their fight against terrorism.

Libya has been split for nearly a year between an elected parliament in the country's far east, Tobruk, and an Islamist-led government backed by militias that seized the capital.

On the other hand, the Tobruk-based General National Congress, that did not sign the deal, sent a cable to the UN envoy to Libya after the initial power sharing agreement was signed to reiterate commitment to dialogue as the basis for settling Libyan crisis.

It added that it did not mind to arrange another round of dialogue with the UN envoy to submit amendments to the deal which it deems necessary for rendering the dialogue a success.