EU extends sanctions on Libya parliament

Supporters of Libya's new prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj march holding banners in support of the new government in Tripoli's Martyr's Square on March 31, 2016. Libya's unity government was trying to assert its authority in Tripoli after the new prime minister-designate's sudden arrival, as the EU imposed sanctions on three Libyans for obstructing peace efforts. / AFP PHOTO / TAHA JAWASHI

The EU extended on Friday by six months the sanctions against the head of Libya’s internationally recognised parliament as well as two former officials, for blocking peace efforts by failing to get behind the UN-backed unity government.

Libya has had rival administrations since mid-2014 when a militia alliance took over Tripoli, setting up its own authority and forcing the recognised parliament to flee to the remote east.

But in a blow to the Government of National Accord (GNA) supported by the United Nations and Western powers, the internationally recognised parliament headed by Aguila Saleh gave it a no confidence vote in August.

The other two ex-officials facing a new round of sanctions are Khalifa Ghweil and Nuri Abu Sahmein — both former top figures in an unrecognised authority that has since ceased to function