Libyan factions agree on ‘agenda’ for unity govt

Libya's warring factions have agreed on an "agenda" to form a unity government after two days of U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva, the U.N. said Friday.

The North African nation has been gripped by civil conflict since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Qaddafi in a 2011 uprising, with rival governments and powerful militias battling for control of key cities and the nation's oil wealth.

"The participants agreed after extensive deliberation on an agenda that includes reaching a political agreement to form a consensual national unity government and the necessary security arrangements to end the fighting," a U.N. statement said.

The United Nations said the participants "expressed their unequivocal commitment to a united and democratic Libya governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights."

They also agreed to work towards the release of abducted people, providing and allowing humanitarian aid to reach affected regions, opening airports and securing land and maritime navigation.

Libya's internationally recognized government decamped last summer to the eastern city of Tobruk after an Islamist-backed militia alliance seized the capital Tripoli and set up its own administration.

The alliance known as Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) also holds the third city, Misrata. It launched a bloody offensive in December to seize control of key oil terminals but was repelled by the army.