Libyan government army declares cease-fire

Libya's internationally recognized government in the northeastern Tobruk has declared a cease-fire, with U.N.-brokered peace talks set to resume in Geneva next week.

The Tobruk government’s rival, the self-declared Fajr Libya (Dawn of Libya) government in Tripoli had declared a truce earlier in the week, but said on Sunday that it would not participated in the talks unless they were held in Libya, but that they were willing to negotiate.

Jason Pack from Libya-Analysis.com, speaking to Al Jazeera from London, said that the cease-fire agreement was only moderately promising, adding that while Fajr Libya, which is comprised of several militia groups, had agreed to a truce, many other militia groups operating in the country had not. 

"We also do not have both sides of the political leadership of Tripoli represented in Geneva," Pack said, but added that the current situation in Libya was not necessarily a result of the toppling of the Muammar Gadaffi regime but rather as a result of decisions made by role-players since Gadaffi was toppled. 

About 600 people have been killed in three months of heavy fighting between Libyan pro-government forces and Islamist groups in Libya's second-largest city Benghazi, medical staff have said, according to Reuters news agency.

Libya has been sliding deeper into conflict since the 2011 overthrow of long-time ruler Gaddafi, with rival governments and powerful militias battling for control of its main cities and oil wealth.

Fajr Libya took control over Tripoli in August, forcing the Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni to leave the capital. 

The alliance has since set up their own government and parliament, but these have not been recognized by the United Nations. Both sides fight each other on several fronts.

Libya has failed to build up a national army and efficient state institutions since Gaddafi's ousting as the country is effectively run by former rebel brigades who use their weapons to fight for control.

Thinni is accusing Libya Dawn of relying on armed groups but has allied himself with Khalifa Haftar, a Gaddafi-era officer commanding his own irregular forces.

Haftar's forces have now become part of the official army in the east, a move analysts say might complicate building up state institutions as his own political goals are unclear.

Bernardino Leon, the U.N. special envoy to Libya, had said at the start of the Geneva talks last week that they were a last-ditch effort to prevent all-out chaos.

Al Jazeera and wire services