Libya’s Two Main Factions Agree to a Cease-Fire - The New York Times

The two main factions in years of civil war that have drawn in Russia, Turkey and other regional powers signed an accord at the United Nations in Geneva.

GENEVA — Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to a cease-fire on Friday, raising hopes for an end to years of bloody turmoil that have drawn in military forces from Russia, Turkey and other regional powers.

The two sides signed the agreement at the United Nations in Geneva at the end of a weeklong meeting of delegates from the internationally recognized Government of National Accord, which is based in the capital Tripoli, and the self-styled Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter and based in the country’s east.

The two sides agreed to a complete, countrywide and permanent agreement with immediate effect, said Stephanie Williams, the United Nations acting special envoy who was chairwoman of the most recent talks.

She said it called for frontline forces to return to their bases and for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries within three months , a process that would be monitored by the United Nations.

Williams said the agreement will be sent immediately to the U.N.

Salame has been vocal about his disillusionment with the open meddling by some foreign countries in Libya, such as Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, combined with the failures of Western countries like the United States, France and Britain to meaningfully counter that meddling.

The United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, welcomed the truce agreement as a “fundamental step” toward ending the conflict.

The two sides agreed on Wednesday to reopen road and air links throughout the country.

The two sides also agreed to measures that will reestablish national control over oil facilities and key institutions such as the central bank, Ms