Rival Libyan leaders hold first direct talks in UAE

Rival Libyan leaders Fayez Al Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar held their first direct talks in Abu Dhabi as diplomatic efforts to end six years of violence in the North African nation intensify, The FT reports. The talks reached a “significant breakthrough,” the UAE said, without providing details. “Egypt and the UAE have been spearheading regional efforts to mediate between rival authorities in eastern and western Libya” and one Western diplomat reportedly said the meeting was “an important political signal.” Sputnik says “sources close to Haftar have suggested that the meeting was cordial and positive… The latest meetings between the two men could be a significant step toward ending the stalemate that has crippled Libya's ability to unify following the 2011 revolution.”