Libya's warring rival governments announced in separate statements Friday that they would cease all hostilities and organize nationwide elections soon, an understanding swiftly welcomed by the United Nations and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
The statements were signed by Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the Government of National Accord based in the capital Tripoli, and Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based parliament.
Sarraj, who heads the Presidential Council, said parliamentary and presidential elections would be held in March.
Both statements called for demilitarizing the city of Sirte and the Jufra area in central Libya, and a joint police force to be responsible for security there.
Both administrations also called for oil revenues to flow into the bank account of the National Oil Corporation outside Libya.
The announcements came amid fears of an escalation in the more than 9-year-old conflict.
The UN Support Mission in Libya welcomed both statements, and called for the expulsion of all foreign forces and mercenaries in Libya.
Among the first to react to Friday’s announcement was al-Sisi, who welcomed the ceasefire declarations.
"I welcome statements by Libya's Presidential Council and the House of Representatives calling for a ceasefire and halting military operations in all Libyan territory," Sisi said in a tweet.
