UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler met with the country's new unity government Tuesday during his first visit since prime minister designate Fayez al-Sarraj arrived in Tripoli last week, AFP reported.
With Sarraj's arrival, hopes have risen that the new administration will be able to assert control over the conflict-hit country and put an end to the chaos that has taken hold since the 2011 overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi.
"Now meeting PM Sarraj and members of the Presidency Council. I am very happy to be here and discuss the way ahead," Kobler announced on Twitter.
Just last month Kobler, a German diplomat, had been prevented to traveling to Tripoli by the authorities who have so far refused to relinquish control to the unity government.
Rival governments have ruled separate parts of Libya since the Libya Dawn alliance seized control of Tripoli in 2014, forcing the internationally recognized administration to flee to the eastern part of the country.
The unity government was formed under an agreement in December, and has since been broadening its support, gaining the support of the Libyan Investment Authority, the National Oil Corporation, and the Central Bank. Ten coastal cities have since given their backing to the unity government.
Militant groups including Daesh have taken advantage of the chaos in the North African country to gain a foothold, but so far Western powers have ruled out military intervention unless requested by the unity government.
