Libya's parliament rebuffs pressure to accept UN deal

The spokesman for Libya's internationally-recognised parliament has rebuffed pressure by the West and the United Nations on lawmakers to accept a peace deal that stipulates power-sharing with rival Islamists.

Faraj Abu-Hashim, spokesman for the parliament based in Libya's eastern city of Tobruk, told reporters on Thursday that lawmakers will not accept "pressures" and attempts to "legitimise militias", a reference to the militia-backed government based in the capital, Tripoli.

Since last year, Libya has been split between an elected parliament, which was forced to convene in the country's far east, and Islamist-led government backed by militias that seized Tripoli last August.

The elected parliament has suspended its participation in UN-brokered negotiations. However, there are internal divisions and Tobruk negotiators have backed the deal, saying it has "many positive elements".    (AP)

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