Libya Islamist Gov't Slams UN Envoy Over negligence

TRIPOLI (Antara/Xinhua-OANA) - Libya's Islamist-backed government criticized the UN special envoy to Libya Bernadino Leon of overlooking its will to participate in the national dialogue to curb the violence, local media Libya Herald reported on Monday. The Foreign Media Department belonging to the self-proclaimed government in Tripoli condemned Leon of not respecting the country's laws and did not want to deal with the current power in Tripoli, namely the Islamist armed alliance Libya Dawn. Department head Jamal Zubia said Libya Dawn wanted to participate in the national dialogue, which is mediated by the UN, to tackle the on-going clashes in Libya, but the armed alliance was disrespected. "We say yes to the dialogue, but you must respect us ... Leon arranged a press conference in Tripoli without telling the government but the law says he has to inform us. Leon is from the UN and, if the UN does not repeat the laws of the country, it is a big disaster," Zumia said. He also threatened to send the UN envoy to court if such incident happens again. Libya has seen two governments since Libya Dawn took the capital of Tripoli since August. The armed alliance has since set up its own authority called "National Salvation Government," while the internationally-recognized government, which is headed by Abdullah al-Thinni, is currently on exile in the eastern town of Tobruk. A UN-brokered dialogue was held in September between Thinni's government and its opponents, but Libya Dawn was not invited.(*)