(VOVworld) - The United Nations’ special envoy to Libya says rival parties in Libya have moved closer to forming a national unity government as part of a peace deal. Bernardino Leon made the announcement on Sunday in the Moroccan city of Skhirat, where peace negotiations resumed last week.

UN special envoy for Libya, Bernardino Leon speaks at a press conference during a new round of peace talks on the Libyan conflict on September 12, 2015, in the Moroccan city of Skhirat. (Photo: AFP)

In January, the rival administrations, the General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli, and the country’s internationally-recognized government ruled the cities of Bayda and Tobruk  agreed to set up a national unity government. Leon called on the internationally-recognized government to accept points which have been introduced to the draft at the request of the GNC. 

Libya plunged into chaos after the ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions. The presence of Takfiri Daesh militants has further complicated the situation in the violence-wracked country.