UN special envoy to Libya hails new government

TRIPOLI - The UN special envoy to Libya met here on Sunday with the Libyan presidency council, saying the newly formed government in Libya will tackle the challenges in the war-torn country.

"There are several challenges here now and the most important one is the expansion of the IS and the security situation," Martin Kopler said in a joint press conference with Ahmed Maiteeq, Libyan deputy prime minister of the UN-backed government.

"This can only be tackled if there is a clear consensus to go ahead with the government of national accord," he said.

Kopler said he will travel to Tubrug on Monday to meet with the house of representatives (parliament) "to encourage all to follow this way, to endorse the government of national accord."

"The problem of terrorism is endemic; the humanitarian situation is dire; hospitals need medicines; people need bread. Only the government of national accord can bring the process forward," Kopler said.

The government of national accord was named based on a political agreement signed by the Libyan political rivals that aims to end the country's political crises after months of UN-sponsored political dialogue sessions.