New Libyan gov't postponed for 48 hours

Libya's Presidential Council decided Sunday to postpone forming the new National Accord Government for 48 hours to "complete further arrangements," said the statement.

"The Council believes Libyans will understand the importance of postponing the announcement of the National Accord Government for 48 hours to complete further arrangements." said the council in a statement.

Libya's rival political parties signed a UN -brokered agreement on Dec. 17 in the Moroccan city of Skherat, designed to end the country's political division, upgrade the fight against growing extremism and the threat Islamic State (IS) militants pose.

A presidential council, now in neighboring Tunisia, was given 30 days to organize the government, according to the agreement.

However, the agreement was rejected by hardliners from both rival parliaments.

"I encourage the Presidential Council to adhere to its new deadline to ensure an expedited National Accord Government," said Martin Kobler, head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, on his twitter account Sunday.

"Unfortunately the Presidential Council decided to postpone forming the National Accord Government, as Libya can no longer hesitate," he said.

Libya is undergoing a political crisis with two rival parliaments and governments, amid escalating violence and increased control by militant extremism.

Since Muammar Gaddafi's regime fell in 2011, Libya has struggled to realize a democratic transition. Endit