UN expresses support for newly appointed Libyan ministers

TRIPOLI - UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Sunday expressed support for the newly appointed Libyan ministers.

"UNSMIL wishes the newly appointed GNA (Government of National Accord) ministers success in their new roles. UN stands ready to support them towards implementing the new security arrangements in Tripoli, advancing the needed economic reforms & unifying Libyan national institutions," the mission tweeted.

Libya's UN-backed prime minister, Fayez Serraj, on Sunday appointed three new ministers and a new head for the General Authority of Sports and Youth.

The new ministers are minister of interior, minister of industry and economy, and minister of finance, according to the PM's information office.

The reasons for the sudden decision is unclear, but the move could be aimed at broadening the support for the government.

Serraj's government was appointed based on a UN-sponsored political agreement signed by the Libyan parties later in 2015, with the aim to end the country's political division.