Libya truce takes place with ‘immediate effect’: UN

The ceasefire signed Friday between Libya’s two rival factions takes place with immediate effect, the UN’s Libya envoy said following the signing ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva.

“Today is a good day for the Libyan people,” Stephanie Williams told a press conference, saying the delegations “signed a complete, country-wide and permanent ceasefire agreement with immediate effect”.

The agreement also means that frontline troops will return to base, while foreign fighters must leave the troubled north African country.

“The parties agreed that all military units and armed groups on the front lines shall return to their camps,” said Williams.

“This shall be accompanied by the departure of all mercenaries and foreign fighters from all Libyan territories, land, air and sea, within a maximum period of three months from today. The ceasefire does not apply to UN-designated terrorist groups.”