Ten bodies were spotted near a capsized rubber &nbsp;boat&nbsp;off&nbsp;the coast of&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;on Thursday, which had around&nbsp;130&nbsp;people&nbsp;aboard, a rescue charity said.

European humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee said it was alerted on Tuesday, by the volunteer-run Mediterranean rescue hotline Alarm Phone, to the presence of three boats in distress in international waters&nbsp;off&nbsp;Libya.

The&nbsp;NGO's Ocean Viking ship, as well as merchant vessels, headed to the area in difficult conditions, with up to six-metre waves.

"Since we arrived on scene today, we have not found any survivors while we could see at least ten bodies in the vicinity of the wreck. We are heartbroken," said Luisa Albera, search and rescue coordinator&nbsp;aboard&nbsp;Ocean Viking.

On Wednesday, the Ocean Viking spent all day searching for a wooden&nbsp;boat&nbsp;in distress, with no success. The fate of the 40 people onboard remains unknown.

&nbsp;Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Over 1,500 migrants ‘rescued’ off Libya coast in week">Over 1,500 migrants ‘rescued’ off Libya coast in week</a>

"There is no hope of finding any survivors," French journalist Emmanuelle Chaze told AFP by phone from onboard the rescue ship, adding that "many bodies" had been spotted.

Last week the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that at least 41 people, including a child, died after a&nbsp;boat&nbsp;carrying African migrants to Europe sank&nbsp;off&nbsp;Tunisia.

Over 450 migrants have perished in the Mediterranean so far this year, according to the IOM, most attempting to reach Europe from Tunisia or&nbsp;Libya.

Ten bodies were spotted near a capsized rubber boat off the coast of Libya on Thursday, which had around 130 people aboard, a rescue charity said. European humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee said it was alerted on Tuesday, by the volunteer-run Mediterranean rescue hotline Alarm Phone, to the presence of three boats in distress in international waters off Libya.

Ten bodies were spotted near a capsized rubber boat off the coast of Libya on Thursday, which had around 130 people aboard, a rescue charity said. European humanitarian group SOS Mediterranee said it was alerted on Tuesday, by the volunteer-run Mediterranean rescue hotline Alarm Phone, to the presence of three boats in distress in international waters off Libya. The NGO's Ocean Viking ship, as well as merchant vessels, headed to the area in difficult conditions, with up to six-metre waves. "Since we arrived on scene today, we have not found any survivors while we could see at least ten bodies in the vicinity of the wreck. We are heartbroken," said Luisa Albera, search and rescue coordinator aboard Ocean Viking. On Wednesday, the Ocean Viking spent all day searching for a wooden boat in distress, with no success. The fate of the 40 people onboard remains unknown. Also read: Over 1,500 migrants ‘rescued’ off Libya coast in week "There is no hope of finding any survivors," French journalist Emmanuelle Chaze told AFP by phone from onboard the rescue ship, adding that "many bodies" had been spotted. Last week the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that at least 41 people, including a child, died after a boat carrying African migrants to Europe sank off Tunisia. Over 450 migrants have perished in the Mediterranean so far this year, according to the IOM, most attempting to reach Europe from Tunisia or Libya.

Migrant boat with 130 aboard capsizes off Libya: NGO

Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to a cease-fire Friday, raising hopes for an end to years of bloody turmoil that have drawn in military forces from Russia, Turkey, and other regional powers.

The two sides signed the agreement at the United Nations in Geneva at the end of a weeklong meeting of delegates from the internationally recognised Government of National Accord, which is based in the capital, Tripoli, and the self-styled Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter and based in the country’s east.

The two sides agreed on a complete, countrywide and permanent agreement with immediate effect, said Stephanie Williams, the U.N. acting special envoy who chaired the most recent talks. She said it called for front-line forces to return to their bases and for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries within three months, a process that would be monitored by the U.N.

“God willing, it will be the key to peace and security in all Libya,” Col. Ali Abushama, the head of the government delegation, said at the signing ceremony. “We have had enough suffering, enough division, enough bloodshed.”

Williams said the agreement will be sent immediately to the U.N. Security Council, stressing the critical importance of international backing.

The former U.N. envoy, Ghassan Salame, quit his job earlier this year, partly in exasperation at the failure of the international community to provide meaningful support for peace efforts in Libya.

Salame has been vocal about his disillusionment with the open meddling by some foreign countries in Libya, such as Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, combined with the failures of Western countries like the United States, France, and Britain to meaningfully counter that meddling.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the truce agreement as a “fundamental step” toward ending the conflict.

Williams said the accord set an exceptional example for Libyan politicians who now face the challenge of converting the cease-fire into a broader political settlement in talks due to open in Tunis in early November.

Friday’s agreement is intended to set in motion steps to unify security forces and disarm, demobilize and reintegrate the numerous armed factions that have operated unchecked by any central authority for years.

The two sides also agreed to measures that will reestablish national control over oil facilities and key institutions such as the central bank, Williams said.

Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to a cease-fire Friday, raising hopes for an end to years of bloody turmoil that have drawn in military forces from Russia, Turkey, and other regional powers.

Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to a cease-fire Friday, raising hopes for an end to years of bloody turmoil that have drawn in military forces from Russia, Turkey, and other regional powers. The two sides signed the agreement at the United Nations in Geneva at the end of a weeklong meeting of delegates from the internationally recognised Government of National Accord, which is based in the capital, Tripoli, and the self-styled Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter and based in the country’s east. The two sides agreed on a complete, countrywide and permanent agreement with immediate effect, said Stephanie Williams, the U.N. acting special envoy who chaired the most recent talks. She said it called for front-line forces to return to their bases and for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries within three months, a process that would be monitored by the U.N. “God willing, it will be the key to peace and security in all Libya,” Col. Ali Abushama, the head of the government delegation, said at the signing ceremony. “We have had enough suffering, enough division, enough bloodshed.” Williams said the agreement will be sent immediately to the U.N. Security Council, stressing the critical importance of international backing. The former U.N. envoy, Ghassan Salame, quit his job earlier this year, partly in exasperation at the failure of the international community to provide meaningful support for peace efforts in Libya. Salame has been vocal about his disillusionment with the open meddling by some foreign countries in Libya, such as Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, combined with the failures of Western countries like the United States, France, and Britain to meaningfully counter that meddling. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the truce agreement as a “fundamental step” toward ending the conflict. Williams said the accord set an exceptional example for Libyan politicians who now face the challenge of converting the cease-fire into a broader political settlement in talks due to open in Tunis in early November. Friday’s agreement is intended to set in motion steps to unify security forces and disarm, demobilize and reintegrate the numerous armed factions that have operated unchecked by any central authority for years. The two sides also agreed to measures that will reestablish national control over oil facilities and key institutions such as the central bank, Williams said.

Libya cease-fire raises hopes for full peace deal

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday that Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and eastern-based military leader Khalifa Haftar have welcomed an initiative to end the military conflict in the neighboring war-torn Libya.

The announcement came after Sisi attentded a meeting with Libyan leaders in Cairo. The meeting was organised to&nbsp;discuss the recent developments of the ongoing war civil war in Libya.

The peace-calling initiative is called&nbsp;Cairo Declaration. It seeks a cease-fire between the&nbsp;warring Libyan parties starting from June 8, a UN-supervised election of a Libyan presidential council and drafting a constitutional declaration to regulate elections for the later stage, Sisi said in a joint press conference with Haftar and Saleh.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libyas-haftar-pulls-back-east-as-tripoli-offensive-crumbles-303763">Also read:&nbsp;Libya's Haftar pulls back east as Tripoli offensive crumbles</a>

Under the initiative, foreign mercenaries will pull out from Libya. All militias will dismantle and disarm, to allow the Haftar-led Libyan National Army (LNA) take charge in the country, according to the Egyptian president.

Things have been tense in Libya since 2011 when former leader&nbsp;Muammar Gaddafi was assassinated, and later in 2014 the country was divided into two major parts -- one ruled by&nbsp;Government of National Accord (GNA), which is backed by UN,&nbsp;Turkey, Italy and Qatar and the other being LNA, backed by&nbsp;Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France and Russia .

"The initiative calls for respecting all relevant UN efforts and initiatives. The initiative will mark a beginning for a new stage towards the return of normal and safe life to Libya," Sisi said.

Sisi's announcement was welcomed by other countries. The Egyptian President said he hopes the UN will invite all Libyan parties to the UN headquarters to relaunch the political process.

(With inputs from ANI)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday that Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and eastern-based military leader Khalifa Haftar have welcomed an initiative to end the military conflict in the neighboring war-torn Libya.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday that Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and eastern-based military leader Khalifa Haftar have welcomed an initiative to end the military conflict in the neighboring war-torn Libya. The announcement came after Sisi attentded a meeting with Libyan leaders in Cairo. The meeting was organised to discuss the recent developments of the ongoing war civil war in Libya. The peace-calling initiative is called Cairo Declaration. It seeks a cease-fire between the warring Libyan parties starting from June 8, a UN-supervised election of a Libyan presidential council and drafting a constitutional declaration to regulate elections for the later stage, Sisi said in a joint press conference with Haftar and Saleh. Also read: Libya's Haftar pulls back east as Tripoli offensive crumbles Under the initiative, foreign mercenaries will pull out from Libya. All militias will dismantle and disarm, to allow the Haftar-led Libyan National Army (LNA) take charge in the country, according to the Egyptian president. Things have been tense in Libya since 2011 when former leader Muammar Gaddafi was assassinated, and later in 2014 the country was divided into two major parts -- one ruled by Government of National Accord (GNA), which is backed by UN, Turkey, Italy and Qatar and the other being LNA, backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France and Russia . "The initiative calls for respecting all relevant UN efforts and initiatives. The initiative will mark a beginning for a new stage towards the return of normal and safe life to Libya," Sisi said. Sisi's announcement was welcomed by other countries. The Egyptian President said he hopes the UN will invite all Libyan parties to the UN headquarters to relaunch the political process. (With inputs from ANI)

Egypt's President offers peace-talks to end civil war in war-torn Libya

Air raids by the self-styled Libyan National Army against the capital on Saturday night killed four people and wounded 20 others, Libya's internationally recognised unity government said.

But Amin al-Hachemi, a spokesman for the Government of National Accord's healthy ministry, on Sunday warned that "the death toll could increase in the coming hours".

A pro-GNA military source said the victims were civilians.

"Several sites were targeted by air strikes late Saturday night, causing victims among civilians," the source told AFP.&nbsp;

"Most of the strikes hit areas in the district of Abou Slim... (but) none hit military targets."

Strongman Khalifa Haftar's LNA launched an offensive against Tripoli, the seat of the GNA, on April 4.

But after initial gains, Haftar's forces have encountered stiff resistance on the southern outskirts and his troops have been pushed back in some areas.

At least 278 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the clashes, according to a toll released Wednesday by the World Health Organization.

The GNA accuses Haftar of using foreign planes to carry out air strikes, without naming a country of origin.&nbsp;

"This criminal conceals his failures and those of his soldiers at the gates of Tripoli by resorting to foreign aviation to hit unarmed civilians in the city," spokesman Mohanad Younes said on the GNA's official Facebook page.&nbsp;

Haftar's offensive has sharpened fault lines in policy towards Libya among world powers.

On April 18, Russia and the United States opposed a British bid backed by France and Germany at the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in the North African country.

The White House revealed the next day that Donald Trump had reached out personally to Haftar in a phone call, during which the US president "recognised Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources".

The country has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that deposed and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.&nbsp;

Air raids by the self-styled Libyan National Army against the capital on Saturday night killed four people and wounded 20 others, Libya's internationally recognised unity government said.

Air raids by the self-styled Libyan National Army against the capital on Saturday night killed four people and wounded 20 others, Libya's internationally recognised unity government said. But Amin al-Hachemi, a spokesman for the Government of National Accord's healthy ministry, on Sunday warned that "the death toll could increase in the coming hours". A pro-GNA military source said the victims were civilians. "Several sites were targeted by air strikes late Saturday night, causing victims among civilians," the source told AFP. "Most of the strikes hit areas in the district of Abou Slim... (but) none hit military targets." Strongman Khalifa Haftar's LNA launched an offensive against Tripoli, the seat of the GNA, on April 4. But after initial gains, Haftar's forces have encountered stiff resistance on the southern outskirts and his troops have been pushed back in some areas. At least 278 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the clashes, according to a toll released Wednesday by the World Health Organization. The GNA accuses Haftar of using foreign planes to carry out air strikes, without naming a country of origin. "This criminal conceals his failures and those of his soldiers at the gates of Tripoli by resorting to foreign aviation to hit unarmed civilians in the city," spokesman Mohanad Younes said on the GNA's official Facebook page. Haftar's offensive has sharpened fault lines in policy towards Libya among world powers. On April 18, Russia and the United States opposed a British bid backed by France and Germany at the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in the North African country. The White House revealed the next day that Donald Trump had reached out personally to Haftar in a phone call, during which the US president "recognised Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources". The country has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that deposed and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Four dead, 20 wounded in Tripoli air raids: Unity government

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Migrant boat with 130 aboard capsizes off Libya: NGO

Libya cease-fire raises hopes for full peace deal

Egypt's President offers peace-talks to end civil war in war-torn Libya

Four dead, 20 wounded in Tripoli air raids: Unity government