The United Nations special envoy Bernardino Leon says Libya's rival parties are closer to reaching a peace deal.

Bernardino Leon made the announcement on Sunday in the Moroccan city of Skhirat, where peace negotiations resumed last week.

"After long hours of discussions, we have reached... a consensus on the main elements," Leon said, adding that the draft would be handed out to the conflicting sides.
Leon said the text is to be put to the vote.

In January, the rival administrations - General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli and the country’s internationally-recognized government ruling in the cities of Bayda and Tobruk - agreed to set up a national unity government.

Leon called on the internationally-recognized government to accept points which have been introduced to the draft at the request of the GNC.

"Even if... they feel frustrated because this text will have some changes, (I call on them to) accept these changes for the sake of their country," he said.

Under Leon’s plan, a unity government deal must be reached by September 20, with the new Libyan government taking over a month later.

Earlier this month, the recognized Libyan parliament endorsed a list of candidates for a unity government.

Libya plunged into chaos after the ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The presence of Takfiri Daesh militants has further complicated the situation in the violence-wracked country.