US, Libyan officials discuss efforts to form unity gov't

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Senior US officials met here Wednesday with a delegation from the Libyan House of Representatives, and urged them to cooperate with the UN's efforts to establish a national unity government, the Department of State said.

"We believe [this] is an essential prerequisite for any effective international support for Libya's successful democratic transition and security needs," Deputy Acting Spokesperson Jeff Rathke told reporters.

He said that the US also welcomes the UN-led dialogue on Libya, which also convened on Wednesday in Morocco.

"As Secretary [of State John] Kerry said in a statement on April 12 and the UN Security Council reiterated on April 13, we strongly urge all Libyan stakeholders participating to agree on arrangements to end Libya's political security and institutional crisis," Rathke said.

The talks got underway as the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thinni launched airstrikes near Tripoli, in a bid to oust the rival Libya Dawn party from the capital.

"We condemn today's airstrikes [and] again call on all parties to cease hostilities, as there can be no military solution to Libya's challenges," Rathke affirmed.