UN chief welcomes initialing of political agreement by Libyan parties

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said he is encouraged by the initialing of an agreement by Libyan parties, while looking forward to the speedy conclusion of the full agreement and its implementation.

Some Libyan warring factions agreed late Saturday in Skhirat, Morocco, on the UN-brokered political agreement despite the absence of the General National Congress (GNC), the Tripoli-based parliament.

"This act is a clear demonstration of political will and courage and brings the country one step closer to resolving the current institutional and security crisis," said a statement released by Ban's spokesperson.

Ban called on all Libyans to move the political transition process forward, in a spirit of unity, through "the formation of a government of national accord," which is included in the agreement.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil.

The country is now deadlocked in a dogfight between the pro- secular army and Islamist militants, which has led to a security vacuum for homegrown extremism to brew.

The UN has brokered several rounds of dialogues between the conflicting parties since last September, but clashes persisted despite a truce agreed upon by the warring factions. Endite