UN envoy in Tobruk to 'help' with Libya unity govt vote

UN envoy Martin Kobler travelled to the seat of Libya's internationally recognised parliament on Sunday to "help" with a vote of confidence on a national unity government for the crisis-torn country.

The head of the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and special envoy of the UN secretary-general, Martin Kobler at the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping mission in Kinshasa.

"The eyes of the people of Libya are on Tobruk. They expect a GNA. I am here in Tobruk today to help, not to interfere," Kobler tweeted in reference to the hard-fought formation of a government of national unity.


Kobler held a meeting with parliament speaker Aguila Salah, parliament's website reported. On Saturday, Libya's prime minister-designate, Fayez al-Sarraj, presented the programme of his unity government before the parliament of the internationally recognised government.

"The members of parliament discussed with the Presidential Council the proposed unity government's programme as well as the names of ministers," said LANA news agency, which is close to the recognised authorities.

Debate, which has often been "heated", continued in parliament on Sunday ahead of a vote of confidence expected to take place on Tuesday. The oil-rich North African country has had rival administrations since the summer of 2014 when the recognised government fled Tripoli after a militia alliance including Islamists overran the capital.