Libya PM says, 'We share a similar vision to prioritise a political agreement'

Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj

 In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Libya's Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj hailed a landmark deal struck Tuesday with rival military leader General Khalifa Haftar, but warned the divided country faces tough challenges before holding elections.

FRANCE 24, JULY 25, 2017-- Sarraj, leader of Libya's UN-backed government based in Tripoli, and Haftar, who heads the self-styled Libyan National Army that controls much of the east of the country, agreed to a conditional ceasefire as well as to move towards holding elections following talks in Paris.

'The meeting was very positive, we share a similar vision to prioritise a political agreement,' Sarraj told FRANCE 24.

'We spoke about the urgent need to create a better environment for elections, to unify institutions, and we of course agreed that elections are the solution.'

However, with the country currently divided between rival governments and struggling to wrest control back from armed groups and Islamist militants that filled the power vacuum left behind by the overthrow of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Sarraj acknowledged that there was much work to do to pave the way for elections, not least in ensuring security.

'Fears about the security situation are fully justified,' he said. 'Organising these elections will require real political, security and logistical preparations. There must be a common effort to ensure their success.'