Libya Rivals in Morocco Talks as U.N. Presses Unity Deal

Representatives of Libya's two rival parliaments on Thursday held U.N.-brokered talks in Morocco aimed at reaching an agreement on a national unity government and finding someone to head it, officials said.

Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 armed uprising, with two governments and powerful militias battling for control of key cities and the North African country's oil riches.

The talks in Skhirat, near the Moroccan capital Rabat, come after delays caused by deadly jihadist attacks that prompted the internationally recognized government to pull out of discussions before returning.

The meeting was part of an attempt to "find an agreement between the different parties on a national personality to lead a national unity government," one participant told Agence France-Presse.

The next step was to name "ministers who will represent the different parties," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Thursday's talks were chaired by U.N. special envoy Bernardino Leon.

In a briefing ahead of the meeting, he told U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon the aim was to form a unity government and "address security arrangements to pave the way for a comprehensive ceasefire" as well as complete the constitution-drafting process.

Libya's internationally recognized parliament is based in the eastern city of Tobruk while the rival Islamist-backed General National Congress is in the capital Tripoli.

The meeting comes as the internationally recognized government pushes for the lifting of an arms embargo to help it fight jihadists, amid growing alarm over the threat from the Islamic State group.

On Wednesday the National Oil Company declared force majeure at 11 oil fields after Islamist attacks, in a legal step protecting it from liability if it cannot fulfill contracts for reasons beyond its control.

Members of the U.N. Security Council are reluctant to lift the arms embargo due to fears that they might end up in the wrong hands, according to diplomats.

But they are not opposed to relaxing some conditions of the weapons ban once a unity government is formed through national dialogue.

In addition to Thursday's meeting, the United Nations has invited representatives of Libyan political leaders and activists to more talks in Algeria next week.