Rejection of plan by country’s internationally recognised parliament is blow for UN and dampens hopes of end to civil war

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Libya’s internationally recognised parliament has rejected a United Nations-backed unity government plan, dampening hopes of an end to the country’s civil war.

Meeting in the eastern city of Tobruk, 89 out of 104 members of the House of Representatives rejected the proposed new government, demanding wholesale changes.

The rejection is a blow for the UN, which has been trying to persuade the elected Tobruk parliament and an Islamist-led rival in Tripoli to unite.

It also throws into doubt a proposed €100m (£76m) European Union aid package and Britain’s promise to deploy 1,000 troops to train a new Libyan army, which are both conditional on a unity government being established.

In December the UN announced the creation of the embryonic unity government, consisting of a nine-strong presidency led by a Tripoli politician, Fayez Sarraj, and for the moment based in neighbouring Tunisia.

But Tobruk MPs rejected Serraj’s proposed 32-strong cabinet, demanding that it be cut to 17 ministers.

A more fundamental problem is Tobruk’s rejection of the part of the unity government plan that would require the removal of its controversial army commander, General Khalifa Hiftar.

Hiftar is seen by supporters as a bulwark against Islamist militants, while opponents in the Tripoli parliament brand him a war criminal and have demanded his removal as a condition for unity.

Monday’s decision comes with concern mounting in western capitals over the expansion of Islamic State, which has launched attacks over the past week on the country’s oil ports, setting storage tanks ablaze in Ras Lanuf, Libya’s largest refinery.

British, French and American jets are on standby to bomb the terror group, but diplomats say airstrikes must first be approved by a united Libyan government.

Some commentators insist the door remains open to further negotiations because Tobruk has ruled that it will consider an amended UN plan in 10 days.