Libyans to be surveyed on country's future

Libyan citizens will be invited to air their views on the country's future as part of a UN-backed initiative to break the political stalemate in the conflict-ridden country.

The first meetings will be held in the eastern city of Benghazi and the far western city of Zuwara on Thursday, Reuters reported.

More than 20 open meetings are planned over the next few weeks, in which Libyans will be asked for their opinions on issues including the spending of oil revenues, the powers of a future central government and the disarming of militias.

Their views will feed into a "national conference" process promoted by UN Libya envoy Ghassan Salame, meant to pave the way for elections by the end of 2018.

Salame has been trying to help forge agreement on a constitution and new electoral laws, but efforts to reshape a UN-brokered government in Tripoli have stalled.

Since disputed elections in 2014 Libya has been split between competing political and military factions in the west and east of the country. The Tripoli government is rejected by its eastern-based rivals led by General Khalifa Haftar.

Political turmoil and sporadic armed conflict have led to economic collapse, allowing migrant smugglers to flourish and giving space to Islamist militants.

The United Nations has commissioned Geneva-based conflict resolution group, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), to organise the meetings.

"We're trying to reach out to as many Libyans as possible in as many different localities to get their opinions and views," said Chris Thornton, HD's Libya programme manager.

Citizens will be able to submit their views by email and set up meetings in their own communities.