Rival Libya delegates meet for security and military talks

Rival Libyan delegations began security and military talks in the Egyptian Red Sea city of Hurghada on Monday, according to the United Nations mission in Libya.

Military and police teams from eastern and western Libya met and began security and military talks as part of the ongoing (5+5) Joint Military Commission talks brokered by the UN mission.

The two delegations have demonstrated "a positive and proactive attitude aimed at de-escalation of the situation in central Libya," the UN said in a statement.

The 5+5 military commission was set up after a conference in Berlin on 19 January, with the hope it can reach an agreement for a long-term ceasefire.

The United Nations and the German government are planning another Libya summit, expected to be conducted online on 5 October. Other Libyan delegations have had recent political talks in Morocco and Switzerland.

Libya has been in turmoil since a 2011 revolt toppled long-time dictator Muammar al-Gaddhafi.

The oil-rich country has two main competing administrations: the UN-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli and a government based in the eastern city of Tobruk, allied with military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who leads forces in the country's east. (dpa)