Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Martin Kobler. UN Photo/Manuel Elías
(VOVworld) - The UN envoy to Libya is urging its parliament to endorse a unity government that can help combat a mushrooming Islamic State affiliate. Martin Kobler told the press on February 17th, the fifth anniversary of the uprising that toppled Moammar Gadhafi and plunged the country into chaos, that every day lost in political dialogue is a day of gain of IS.

On Sunday, a UN-designated council presented a new 18-member Cabinet in the Moroccan city of Skhirat, weeks after the internationally-backed House of Representatives rejected an earlier lineup, citing reservations about its size and the distribution of portfolios among the country's three regions.

Kobler hailed the new proposal, describing it as a "balanced list" and saying politicians should accept the deal so they can begin to address the country's "disastrous" humanitarian situation. He added that 95% of the Libyan people are behind the political deal and want to see a strong government that takes care of basic necessities.