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Libyan Military Agrees to Cease-fire Ahead of Geneva Talks


FILE - A Libyan soldier reloads his weapon during clashes with Islamist militias in Benghazi, Libya.
FILE - A Libyan soldier reloads his weapon during clashes with Islamist militias in Benghazi, Libya.

The military of Libya's internationally recognized government has agreed to a cease-fire, two days after militias in the country signed on to a UN-mediated truce.

The embattled factions that have divided the country are preparing to resume talks in Geneva in the coming days.

U.N. mediator Bernardino Leon facilitated indirect talks between rival groups last week to establish a framework for future negotiations and a potential national unity government.

Two governments operating from different cities have been fighting for control of Libya since long-time authoritarian ruler Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown three years ago.

The Islamist group Libya Dawn seized Tripoli last year, pushing Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani to move the country's House of Representatives to the eastern city of Tobruk.

The United Nations reported in December that hundreds of civilians had been killed in Libya's internal conflict since August.

The organization also warned that armed groups in the country may be liable for war crimes.

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