Libyan lawmakers heading to Washington – US official

A delegation of Libyan lawmakers recognized by the international community will head to Washington next week as part of UN efforts to create a stable unity government in the war-torn country, the US State Department said Friday.

“We look forward to discussing their work with the UN Special Representative (Bernardino) Leon in support of the UN-led process to constitute a national unity government,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said about the delegation from Libya’s House of Representatives.

Opposing militias in Libya, awash with weapons since its 2011 revolution that toppled longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi, are battling for control of its cities and oil wealth.

Libya has rival governments and parliaments, those recognized by the international community sitting in the far east of the country and the others with ties to Islamists in the capital Tripoli.

Morocco and Algeria have hosted a Libyan dialogue between representatives of rival parliaments under the auspices of UN envoy Leon with the aim of trying to establish a unity government from the main two camps vying for power.

Talks are scheduled to resume in Algiers on Monday, Algerian officials said earlier Friday. [AFP]