UN chief asks nations to respect Libyan ceasefire

The rival sides in Libya's conflict have signed a permanent cease-fire. The United Nations billed Friday's deal as historic after years of fighting that has split the North African country in two.

But skepticism over whether the agreement would hold began emerging almost immediately.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged all nations "actors to respect the provisions of the ceasefire agreement and ensure its implementation without delay" the ceasefire.

Guterres continued his push for a global ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the Libyan agreement should also serve as an example for other nations, noting conflicts in Yemen, Afghanistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan that still rage on.

"There is no military solution for any of these conflicts. The solution must be political," he said.

The breakthrough sets the stage for political talks in November to find a lasting solution to the chaos unleashed after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Previous diplomatic initiatives to end the war have repeatedly collapsed.

Libya is split between a U.N.-recognized government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities based in the east.

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