Libya announces unity Cabinet

Libya’s UN-brokered nati-onal unity government announced its formation on Tuesday under a disputed deal aimed at ending years of bloodshed.

The United Nations called on the country’s legislators to endorse the new administration, after less than half of members of Parliament signed up to the agreement.

The unity government, headed by businessman Fayez al-Sarraj, comprises 32 ministers, the administration announced on its Facebook page.

“I congratulate Libyan people & Presidency Cou-ncil on formation of Govt. Of National Accord,” UN envoy Martin Kobler wrote on Twitter.

Libya slid into chaos following the 2011 toppling and killing of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Since 2014, its divisions only increased, splitting it into two governments and Parliaments — the internationally recognised one in the country’s east, and an Islamist-backed one in the capital, Tripoli.

Each side is backed by an array of different militias.

In December, blocs from Libya’s rival Parliaments signed a UN-brokered deal to form the unity government and established a Unity Presidential Council.

The Tunisia-based council includes representatives from the rival Parliaments and governments, as well as delegates from other factions. But other members of both the two main factions have rejected the UN plan.

According to the deal, the new government should be based in Tripoli but it is not clear if the current Tripoli-based authorities opposing the deal would allow it to operate in peace.

Recently, a Tripoli-based Premier threatened use of force against a security committee tasked to secure venue for the new government.