Special to WorldTribune.com

Libya’s rival factions on Dec. 17 signed a UN-brokered agreement to form a unity government.

Gen. Khalifa Haftar, the military commander for what had been the internationally recognized government in Tobruk, said he hoped the deal would lead to the end of a UN arms embargo as Libya faces a growing threat from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).

“Dialogue cannot continue as it did in the past without any benefit. Otherwise it’s a waste of time,” Haftar said. “We need the arms embargo on the Libyan army to be lifted, and with that we will have the weapons to carry out our proper role.”

Related: Gen. Haftar: Libyan forces lack weapons to defeat ISIL in Sirte, Aug. 25, 2015

The Libya agreement was signed in Skhirat, Morocco after a year of negotiations between the Tobruk and Tripoli-based factions, local councils and political parties.

The accord calls for a nine-member presidential council which will form a government with the current, eastern-based House of Representatives as the main legislative branch and a State Council as a second chamber. The presidential council is expected to name a new government in January and a UN Security Council resolution will endorse it.

Western officials commended the agreement for a unity government.

“There are some people who want to hold on to little kingdoms, but very, very small kingdoms, little tiny patches where they hold authority, but Libya’s going to move on,” U.S. envoy to Libya Jonathan Winer told Reuters. “Ultimately Libyans have to be responsible for Libya.”

Some of Libya’s armed militias support the accord, but others who are seen as closely allied with political leaders oppose it.

“We have reached an agreement, but the biggest challenge now is to implement it,” said Salah Huma, a member of parliament and negotiator for the Tobruk-based government.

  Gen. Haftar appeals for arms against ISIL, Gen. Khalifa Haftar, Rival Libyan factions sign deal, Tobruk, Tripoli, WorldTribune.com