Updated

The U.N. special envoy for Libya has met with leaders of the Tripoli-based government and says he hopes a draft agreement aimed at forming a national unity government can be finalized in coming weeks.

Bernardino Leon on Wednesday noted "tangible results" in the talks in Istanbul with the General National Congress, which controls much of northwestern Libya. The country's internationally recognized government is based in Tobruk to the east.

Leon was to host new discussions in Geneva on Thursday and Friday. It was not immediately clear whether the GNC would attend. It balked at talks last month in Morocco.

The parties have been asked to present their candidates for the prime minister and two deputies to lead the national unity government and get the war-torn country out of its crisis.