A new unity government in Libya had raised hopes the war-ravaged North African nation had turned a corner towards peace -- but analysts warn that major stumbling blocks remain.



The toppling and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising plunged Libya into a bloody, decade-long struggle for power.



Interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah's administration is charged with unifying Libya's institutions and preparing for elections on December 24.


"After an unprecedented breakthrough over the past two months, we have entered a new phase of doubt -- and a resurgence of divisions between east and west," noted analyst Imad Jalloul.



Ankara's support is widely credited with western Libyan forces' victory last June over eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, who had waged a year-long offensive on Tripoli with the backing of Russia and the United Arab Emirates.



Analysts warn that despite moves towards peace in Libya, the country could slip back into conflict Analysts warn that despite moves towards peace in Libya, the country could slip back into conflict Photo: AFP / Mahmud TURKIA






"Underlying (recent) tensions... is the perception of several armed factions in Western Libya that their opponents are being enabled to achieve, under the guise of muhasasa to preserve peace, what they failed to with war," Badi wrote.






Analyst Mohamed Eljarh echoed his concerns.

