Twenty-three Libyan envoys joined diplomats from the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in the German capital and other Western nations at a meeting announced Tuesday by Bernardino Leon, chief of the UN Support Mission in Libya.
The governments and the EU issued a statement calling on "all Libyan parties to overcome the remaining obstacles to an agreement, to create a conducive environment for a lasting and inclusive solution to the current conflicts, to immediately cease all hostilities and to prevent all actions that may disturb the political process."
Germany's top diplomat, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who hosted the Berlin meeting, said that time was running out to wrap up a peace accord.
"The round of negotiations that just began moderated by Bernardino Leon is perhaps the last chance for a long time for Libya to avoid breaking apart," he said at the meeting.
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Participants said in the final communique that they would offer "significant support" to a government of national accord in the oil-rich country.
"We can continue to work for days and months to reach the perfect agreement but Libya doesn't have the time," Leon said.
He presented a draft deal to delegations from the rival sides at talks in Morocco this week but Libya's internationally recognised parliament said yesterday it was "very unhappy" with the proposal.
The Libyan negotiators were to return home tomorrow to continue debating the peace plan.
Leon expressed optimism that a deal could still be reached.
"The door is still open," he said.
Jihadist groups have exploited the lawlessness, which has also prompted a huge influx of migrants trying to make the dangerous crossing to Europe, with shipwrecks leaving hundreds dead and the EU straining to respond.