Libya officials: peace talks will take place in Geneva, instead of Morocco

BENGHAZI, Libya – Libyan officials say the planned peace talks next week between Libyan factions will take place in Geneva, instead of Morocco.

Libya is bitterly divided between rival governments in its east and west, after descending into chaos following the 2011 end of Moammar Gadhafi's rule.

Tawfik al-Shaheibi, a member of the Islamist-backed parliament in Tripoli, said Friday that Moroccan officials decided to change the venue for Monday's talks because they were offended that U.N. talks with the Islamist-backed parliament took place in rival Algeria last week.

Participants are to vote on a unity government. Al-Shaheibi says his parliament will decide officially Sunday whether to go to Geneva.

Representatives of the eastern-based Libyan government will attend.

The U.N. has said that parties which refuse to participate in the talks will be sanctioned.