Talks aimed at securing peace and stability in Libya have led to a "mood change" but little tangible results, according to UN Special Envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon.

Late night talks were held in Malta between Mr Leon and a Libyan government delegation led by Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni. The elected government is currently battling a militia which has gained control of the capital Tripoli and of Benghazi, forcing the Libyan parliament and the administration to operate from Tobruk.

"We don't know whether the meeting will lead to results but the mood has changed... there was a more positive attitude and I hope we can achieve more concrete progress as the talks continue," Mr Leon said during a meeting with Foreign Minister George Vella this morning.

Mr Leon praised Malta's soft diplomacy. "Malta has quiet, effective diplomacy that is creative and this was visible last night," Mr Leon said without elaborating.
 

Dr Vella described last night's meeting as "fruitful and intense" but cautioned that it was too early to speak of results and details.

"Many more meetings are going to be needed and I hope a solution is found for the Libyan people's sake and for stability in the region," Dr Vella said, offering the possibility for peace talks to be held in Malta.

Mr Leon is trying to broker a peace deal between Libya's warring factions. While Mr Thinni leads the internationally recognised government, a rival faction has taken over the capital Tripoli and large tracts of land forming an alternative government.
Mr Thinni's government and the legitimately elected parliament have been forced to relocate to the far eastern city of Tobruk.

Meanwhile, the Turkish envoy to Libya, Emrullah Isler, was also briefly in Malta last night and later had talks in Tripoli with Omar Al-Hassi, who is leading the group there.