Rival Libya leaders agree to hold elections this year, says GNA adviser

Rival Libyan leaders vying for influence in the war-scarred country have agreed to hold elections later this year, an advisor to the UN-backed government has said.

Taher el-Sonni made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday, amid major peace conference in Paris to secure a political roadmap for the North African country.

"There has been a consensus between the four delegations to prepare a constitutional basis for the elections by 16 September," the senior advisor for the Government of National Accord (GNA) tweeted.

"The date for presidential and parliamentary elections has been fixed for December 10 this year," Sonni added.

The Paris meeting has brought together Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the Tripoli-based GNA, and 75-year-old military strongman Khalifa Haftar, whose rival Libyan National Army dominates the country's east.

Representatives of 20 countries, including both regional and European powers, the US and international organisations also met at the Elysee Palace.

Libya is split between rival governments in the East and West, each backed by an array of tribal militias.

Egypt, Russia and the UAE, who back General Haftar in the East, are also attending, as well as the UN Special envoy Ghassan Salame.

The summit includes a 13-point draft which, as well as elections, also hopes to support the unification of the national army and a call for the immediate unification of the Libyan Central Bank.

Libya has been gripped by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with rival administrations and multiple militias vying for control of the oil-rich country.