Libya’s PM ‘aspires’ to peace deal with rivals

The internationally recognized prime minister of Libya says he is “aspiring” to sign a peace agreement with representatives of the rival Islamist-led Tripoli government in Morocco on Thursday.

Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni made the comments during a brief visit to Malta on Wednesday.

He said there were people who supported and opposed the agreement, and that “any decision taken will always have enemies.”

But he added: “The wise and kind people of Libya” want to reach a solution.

Since last year, Libya has been split between an elected parliament, which was forced to convene in the country’s far east, and Islamist-led government backed by militias that seized Tripoli last August.

The two governments have been negotiating for nine months over a power-sharing deal mediated by U.N. special representative Bernardino Leon.

Al-Thinni said once a unity government is formed, it would be based in Tripoli, though he declined to say who would lead it.

“This person must have a very popular support. I am confident that there will be a big backing and it will be the right person,” he said.