The acting UN envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams has warned Libyan politicians not to bypass the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) or try to set up "a rival", stressing that any attempt to form a new executive body must be under the umbrella of the LPDF, the Guardian newspaper reported.

Foreign countries that are likely to defy a Libyan agreed deadline of next Sunday were challenged by the UN envoy to withdraw all their troops and mercenaries from Libyan soil.

She said the existing political class sees that any change through a temporary executive or towards national elections would end their privileged access to the coffers, and resources of the state.

Williams added that Libya has a rare chance to move forward towards national unity, but this would require painful compromises by all sides, as she put it.