Tripoli authorities cede power to Libyan unity government

Authorities in Libya’s capital said Tuesday they were ceding power to a UN-backed unity government in a major boost to international efforts to end deep political divisions in the strife-torn country. The international community has pleaded with Libya’s warring sides to unite behind the unity government, which it sees as vital to tackling a jihadist expansion and rampant people smuggling in the North African state. Libya has had rival governments since a militia alliance seized control of Tripoli in mid-2014, forcing the internationally recognised government to flee to the country’s far east. The Tripoli-based administration said Tuesday that it was stepping aside in the national interests.

(We are determined to) preserve the higher interests of the country and prevent bloodshed and divisions.

National Salvation Government statement

The move came nearly a week after UN-backed prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj arrived with members of his cabinet in the capital by sea, after the Tripoli authorities closed airspace to keep him out. The new government’s arrival has raised hopes it will be able to restore some stability in Libya, which has been plagued by chaos since Muammer Gadhafi’s 2011 overthrow. Western governments are deeply concerned that Libya’s disarray has allowed the jihadist Islamic State group to gain an important foothold in the country, but have said a foreign intervention can only take place at the request of a unity government.

Libya