World diplomats seek to stabilize Libya
ROME >> World diplomats are working to help Libya create a stable government amid violence and growing political tensions that have festered since former President Moammar Gadhafi’s regime crumbled in 2011.
Thursday’s meeting of foreign ministers, mostly from the West and Gulf states, focused largely on easing disagreements among Libya’s diverse tribal, religious and ethnic populations, looking toward writing a new constitution.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shared a warm handshake with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan at the start of the meeting at Italy’s foreign ministry. He also met with Nouri Abu Sahmein, the Islamist-leaning president of Libya’s parliament.
The parliament’s term expired last month, but lawmakers voted to extend it and hold new elections in the spring.
Protesters have been holding daily demonstrations demanding parliament be dissolved.
