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UN-Mediated Political Talks on Libya End in Disarray

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - U.N.-mediated political talks aimed at resolving the crisis in
   Libya have ended in disarray, with nothing accomplished except an
   agreement to meet again next month.

   The talks got off to a shambolic start. Before the first round of
   Libyan political negotiations even began, members of opposition warring
   groups suspended their participation. U.N. envoy to Libya Ghassan
   Salame acknowledged that this caught him off guard.

   "We were surprised the day the meeting was supposed to start that some
   people had to leave because they were asked to. However, those who
   stayed decided that the occasion was too rare and precious and
   therefore that the political track should start with those who stayed
   in Geneva," Salame said.

   Libya has been in a state of crisis ever since rebel military commander
   Khalifa Haftar attacked Tripoli last April. The military assault on the
   capital and seat of the internationally recognized Government of
   National Accord has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced
   hundreds of thousands.

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