Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar arrived late on Monday in Palermo to attend an Italy-brokered conference, the latest bid by major powers to kickstart a long-stalled political process and stage elections in Libya.
Haftar was received by the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the guest reception podium.
Haftar had announced on Sunday he would not join the Palermo Conference, citing presence of Qatar and Al-Qaeda-linked groups.
Following the reception, Haftar refused to enter for a dinner hosted by the PM for all the guest delegations, according to Libyan media.
Libya fell into chaos following the NATO-backed 2011 uprising that toppled dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
Two rival administrations have since emerged- the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and an eastern administration backed by Haftar.
They agreed in May to hold national elections on December 10.
But acknowledging the countrys chaotic political situation, the UN on Thursday conceded elections will not be viable before at least the spring of 2019.
(With AFP)
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Last Update: Tuesday, 13 November 2018 KSA 09:10 – GMT 06:10
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