The UN Security Council has extended its special mission to war-torn Libya for three months while the US has blamed Russia for blocking steps to take a substantive mandate.
Many in the country were hopeful during the revolt against the Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, but time has eroded that optimism.
Libya faces several obstacles ahead of the elections in December as the attitudes and actions of some international actors contribute to the country's instability.
The UN mission mediating between the rivals says a 10-member joint military commission, with five representatives from each side, inked a “gradual and balanced” withdrawal deal at the end of three-day, UN-facilitated talks in Geneva.
The UN's decision evoked criticism with regional experts telling TRT World that Libya will slide into more chaos if Aguila Saleh is allowed to shape the country's future.
The exchange of a first batch of prisoners, supervised by a joint military committee, took place in the southwestern village of al Shwayrif.
"Mines and improvised explosive devices (planted) in or near homes have caused more than 100 victims," the UN mission in Libya has said in a statement.
The discovery comes after eight mass graves were found in the Tarhuna area, which was until recently used as the operation and supply centre for militias loyal to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar.
The Libyan army had earlier officially announced the launch of the operation to liberate the airport, located south of the country's capital Tripoli.
UN welcomes parties in Libya accepting resumption of 5+5 Joint Military Commission talks.
Libya's internationally recognized government on Friday accepted a ceasefire request from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), according to a statement posted by the government on Twitter.
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