Libya peace talks stall as deadline looms

Libya's UN-brokered peace talks have met with objections on both sides, making a much-awaited deal for a unity government in the war-torn country unlikely before a deadline on Sunday.

UN envoy Bernardino Leon has been trying for months to end the deadlock between two rival governments that has allowed jihadists and people smugglers to flourish in the chaos-wracked country.

The Spanish diplomat's peace plan calls for an accord to be reached by September 20, ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York, but successive proposals have met with resistance from one side or the other.

Libya has been sliding deeper into turmoil since the 2011 ouster of dictator Moamer Gaddafi, with two rival administrations and militias battling for control of the oil-rich North African nation.

Libya's internationally recognised parliament has taken refuge in Tobruk in the country's far east, while a rival parliament backed by the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia coalition has been set up in Tripoli.

The Islamic State jihadist group has taken advantage of the turmoil to expand its foothold in the country, taking over Gaddafi's coastal hometown of Sirte, 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli, in June.

IS has also claimed several attacks in the Libyan capital, including an assault on a prison located in the grounds of the city's airport that killed three security personnel yesterday.

Libya's emergence as a smuggling hub for migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean has also added to the urgency of the long-running talks.

Leon's plan aims to form a national unity government for a two-year transition period to end with parliamentary elections.

The Tobruk legislature signed a draft deal in July but changes were made at the request of the Tripoli-based General National Congress.