Libyan Rivals Agree to Extend Truce as Peace Talks Inch Forward

(Bloomberg) -- Rival Libyan military leaders agreed to extend their truce and devise ways to restructure the armed group charged with protecting oil facilities, the head of the United Nations mission to the North African nation said Wednesday.

The envoy, Stephanie Williams, said representatives of Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tripoli and its eastern-based opponents would also reopen land crossings and domestic air travel, without giving details.

The rivals are meeting in Geneva until Oct. 24 for a fourth round of military talks, one of three tracks being pursued with the aim of ending nearly a decade of conflict in the OPEC member. Repeated efforts to broker a lasting agreement between Fayez al-Sarraj’s government and eastern commander Khalifa Haftar have faltered.

Restructuring the Petroleum Facilities Guard could be a key step toward ramping up crude output and exports, which have slumped as the two sides fought.

The paramilitary force was initially set up to protect oil infrastructure but in a reflection of the country’s deep divisions morphed into a force that has blocked export terminals as Libya’s opponents pushed for an advantage.

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