AP, United Nations
Britain, France and Russia on Thursday backed the new U.N.-brokered unity government in Libya and called for international support for its efforts to reunite and stabilize the deeply divided country.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said creating a central authority that can work effectively throughout the country is especially important “in light of the terrorist threat” and the presence of fighters from the Islamic State extremist group, also known by the Arabic acronym Daesh.
Libya has been dominated by an array of militias since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Western nations view the new government, whose leader arrived in the capital Tripoli last week, as the best hope for ending Libya’s chaos and uniting all factions against an increasingly powerful Islamic State affiliate, which has seized the central city of Sirte.
Another government, based in the eastern city of Tobruk, still opposes the U.N.-backed body.
Churkin said “it’s good that some progress has been made but the situation in the country … continues to be nearly catastrophic.”
The U.N. needs to continue working to make sure “there is maximum unity among various forces in the country,” he said, noting that parliament hasn’t yet approved the unity government and some influential groups of people remain opposed.