Aguila Saleh, president of the elected House of Representatives in the east, told reporters that “We met to find a solution to the Libyan crisis and to let the world know that we are able to work our problems by ourselves,”.
The president of the elected House of Representatives, emphasised that “There is no doubt that we need help from the international community, but we reject any pressure from outside. No one can pressure me or change my mind.”
Nuri Abu Sahmain, head of the rival General National Congress in Tripoli, said they would consider parts of the UN accord, but asked the international community to consider their meeting as a way to a Libyan consensus.
Four years after revolt ousted Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has two governments and parliaments — an internationally-recognized administration in the east and a self-declared one that took over the capital after fighting erupted last year. Each is backed by competing armed factions.
Some Western diplomats said the two parliament leaders are the main block to getting support and a vote on a UN deal and they could be the target of sanctions if an agreement is signed without them.
Western powers and Libya’s neighbours met in Rome on Sunday to push for a deal. They hope war fatigue, the promise of international aid and a common threat of Islamic State inside Libya will help coax more people onboard.
