Libya to form new unity government within days

A revamped Libyan unity government will be proposed within the next ten days, an official said Tuesday.

It comes after the internationally recognised-government in Tobruk rejected an initial lineup, which was perceived as a major setback to peace efforts.

World powers have urged Libya's warring factions to endorse the unity government formed last week under a UN-brokered deal aimed at ending political paralysis that has fuelled the rise of jihadi militias including the Islamic State group.

On Tuesday, sources said the EU was considering sanctions against those seen as "spoiling" efforts to forge a unity government.

An asset freeze and a travel ban could be imposed on leaders of the Tripoli-based parliament and government as well as on Aguila Saleh, who heads the internationally-recognised legislature.

That parliament on Monday voted against supporting the proposed 32-minister cabinet headed by businessman Fayez al-Sarraj.

Sarraj will present a new "more restrained" unity government for approval by Tobruk said Fathi Ben-Issa, adviser to the unity government.

"We will respect the deadline of ten days," he added.

Lawmakers criticised the proposed government as too large and also objected to an article in the UN-brokered accord giving the cabinet the power to approve top security and military positions.

Shrinking the cabinet complicates the task of accommodating the demands of the country's multiple political groups and militias.

Several countries, including the US and European nations such as Italy and France, are ready to provide military aid to help fight IS but want to see a unity government established first.

Libya, which is awash with weapons following the toppling and death of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, is now home to two rival parliaments as well as armed groups fighting to control its oil wealth.

Less than half of the members of the two legislatures signed up to the UN-sponsored agreement last month.

Haftar's fate

Parliamentarian Fahmy Tuwaty said many lawmakers oppose the deal because of the article on approving top security and military positions which they fear will lead to army chief Khalifa Haftar losing his post.

"The committee tasked with representing parliament in the UN-sponsored talks will be dissolved and a new team will be appointed on Monday to negotiate the removal" of the clause, said lawmaker Saltana al-Mismari.

Haftar launched an offensive against Islamists in eastern Libya in May 2014, prompting the then-government to accuse him of trying to stage a coup.

But after Islamists seized Tripoli forcing parliament to flee to the country's far east, parliamentarians gradually allied themselves with Haftar who was previously seen as a rogue general.

He was named head of the Libyan army loyal to the recognised parliament in March 2015.

The sidelining of Haftar is one of the conditions set by the Tripoli-based General National Congress.

UN envoy Martin Kobler said on Monday that he would pursue "consultations with all parties to find a consensual solution" to the contested article.

He urged the recognised parliament "to take the necessary decisions as soon as possible".

The Islamic State group (IS) has exploited the turmoil in Libya to expand its influence in the country and attack key oil facilities.

The group first appeared in the North African nation in 2014 and has since claimed responsibility for beheadings and suicide bombings.

IS has established a stronghold in the coastal city of Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, and is reported to have at least 3,000 fighters in Libya.