Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has described “a chimera” the notion of having all factions in Libya forming a national unity government.

“It is more feasible to find a majority of tribes and factions on both sides of the divide and work with them to form a national unity government,” he said at a press conference closing the second day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta.

He said patience of the international community with Libya was running thin after protracted UN talks have so far not produced results.

“Time is almost up for Libya and there definitely needs to be a moment of reckoning… the international community must support people of goodwill from both sides,” Dr Muscat said, adding he was not advocating military action.

Time is almost up for Libya and there definitely needs to be a moment of reckoning

Libya is divided between two rival governments based in Tripoli and Tobruk and the political vacuum has created space for radical groups like Islamic State to get a foothold.

Dr Muscat said everyone knew who the individuals on both sides in Libya opposing a national unity government were and they should be given an ultimatum or face personal sanctions.

“My appeal is not against Tripoli it is to both sides to form a national unity government,” he said.