UN Security Council welcomes proposal for Libyan unity gov't

The UN Security Council on Friday welcomed the proposal of nominees for the Presidency Council of a national unity government in Libya.

The United Nations on Thursday proposed a national unity government to the warring factions in Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, which has been witnessing a frayed political process after former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil.

According to UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Libya's two main parties in the political dialogue -- the General National Congress (GNC) and the internationally recognized House of Representatives (HoR) -- are expected to agree on five members of the Council by the end of this week.

In a press statement released here, the 15-member UN Security Council commended the dialogue participants on finalizing the agreement for the Government of National Accord after comprehensive and broad consultations.

The UN Security Council urged all Libyan parties to endorse and sign the political agreement, and to work together to quickly form the Government of National Accord.

The most powerful UN body also expressed its readiness to sanction those who threaten Libya's peace, stability and security, or undermine the successful completion of its political transition.

The UN-brokered Libyan political agreement was initiated in July by the Tobruk-based HoR along with representatives of political parties, municipalities and civil society groups, but the GNC did not join it.

UNSMIL has sponsored several rounds of political dialogues between Libya's political rivals for months in a bid to end the chaos in the country. Endi