International attempts to end the chaos in Libya took a step forward on Monday as a new national unity government was proposed to lawmakers.

A UN-backed council of rival Libyan factions announced the formation of the revised cabinet late on Sunday, after a previous government was rejected last month in a blow to peace efforts.

Years of political turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi have left Libya divided between rival governments and beset by violence as militia forces battle for power.