Warring Libya factions eye prisoner release as talks continue

Warring sides in Libya have agreed to resume military talks next week after meeting in Egypt, the United Nations mission said, adding it hoped the step would pave the way towards a lasting ceasefire. The UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in June turned back a 14-month assault on the capital Tripoli by the eastern-based self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) led by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar. The two are now dug in along a front line near the strategic city of Sirte. The UN mission said the Egypt talks addressed confidence-building measures, security arrangements, and the role of the Petroleum Facilities Guard, which is supposed to protect energy infrastructure but is often made up of local groups with their own agendas. It said recommendations – including prisoner swaps and releases and expediting the reopening of air and land transport links – would be presented to military delegations. The UN-led process has run in parallel with other tracks held by factions within both the GNA and LNA and between outside powers involved in the conflict. Turkey supports the GNA while the LNA is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">