Libya talks start in Geneva, U.N. aims for unity government deal

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Bernardino Leon addresses a news conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, January 14, 2015. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy
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Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Bernardino Leon addresses a news conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, January 14, 2015.
Credit: Reuters/Pierre Albouy


GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N.-sponsored talks in Geneva between rival Libyan factions aim to reach a political settlement to form a unity government that a majority of Libyans can support, U.N. Special Envoy for Libya Bernadino Leon said on Wednesday, and he hoped armed factions would observe a cease-fire to support the process.
Part of the Tripoli faction will only decide on Sunday whether to join the talks, but Leon said the door would stay open and he was encouraged that several municipalities allied to Tripoli had decided to come.



(Reporting by Tom Miles)