Algeria holds talks with Libyan political parties

Algeria on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to support for the United Nations' peace process in war-torn Libya.

Algerian Minister for Maghreb Affairs, African Union and Arab League, Abdelkader Messahel, received in his office in Algiers a Libyan delegation representing a coalition of Libyan political parties, led by Ali Bashir Zouik, according to a statement of the Algerian foreign ministry.

The two parties discussed the latest political and security developments in Libya, the statement said, adding the meeting is part of Algeria's efforts aiming at promoting inter-Libyan dialogue.

During the meeting, Messahel reiterated Algeria's commitment to continuing its support for the UN peace process aiming at solving the Libyan crisis.

Messahel urged Libyan warrant parties to join an inclusive inter-Libyan dialogue, without any foreign interference.

Libya has been hit by a civil war after the toppling of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The collapse of the regime there transformed the country into a battlefield of different armed groups, including terrorists.

The Libyan protagonists reached a shaky peace accord following UN-sponsored talks held in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat in December 2015, while a national unity government and a cabinet were established led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Seraj.

Al-Seraj's top mission is to unite Libya's two warring parliaments to ultimately battle the fast-growing forces of the Islamic State.

Libya now has two rival parliaments, namely the internationally recognized one, based in the eastern port city of Tobruk, and the General National Congress (GNC) based in capital city Tripoli supported by General Haftar. Endit