Libyan Islamist militia coalition announces ceasefire

Islamist militia coalition in Libya on Friday announced a ceasefire in the war-torn country.

"We, forces of Libya Dawn and forces of Sunrise Operation, reluctantly used weapons to fight injustice, deter wrongdoers, and eliminate anything threatening society's security and peace," said a joint statement issued on Friday by the leaders of Libya Dawn militias and forces of Sunrise military operation.

"In response to the efforts and initiatives of the United Nations Mission in Libya, we announce our agreement on a cease-fire to the operations of Libya Dawn and Sunrise, provided that the other party obligates to do so," it said.

On Wednesday, the second round of Libyan dialogue conference kicked off in Geneva, sponsored by UN Support Mission in Libya.

The conference is aimed to resolve the political and security crisis of the country. The first round was held in September in the southwestern Libyan city of Ghadames.

Analyst said Friday's statement means Libyan Islamist forces reversed their position toward the UN-sponsored Libyan dialogue conference in Geneva.

Earlier, the militias of Libya dawn announced that they "will disregard the results of the Geneva dialogue," saying that what is happening is "ignoring the General National Congress as a representative of the rebels in the dialogue, making the dialogue one-sided as the active party on the ground is absent."

After taking control of the capital Tripoli in August 2014, forces of Libya Dawn revived the outgoing General National Congress, which formed a parallel government headed by the pro-Islamist Omar Hassi. However, this government is not recognized by the international community.

Forces of Libya Dawn also launched a military operation called "Sunrise Operation" for the liberation of oil fields and ports to take over the area known as oil crescent, claiming they are mandated by the congress. Endit