Political rivals in Libya have made progress toward a transitional government that will oversee national parliamentary and presidential elections later this year, according to Reuters. Members of the transitional government could be chosen “in several weeks” after the UN negotiated the “best possible compromise” between the two sides, Acting U.N. Libya envoy Stephanie Williams said yesterday following talks in Geneva. The Turkey-supported Government of National Accord and the Egypt-backed Libyan National Army agreed to a formal ceasefire in October, and in November agreed to set up a new, unified government and hold elections in December.

Saudi will reopen its embassy in Qatar in a few days and restore full diplomatic ties, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said yesterday, according to Reuters. The Al Ula declaration signed earlier this month paved the way for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain to end their 3.5-year blockade of Qatar and restore diplomatic ties.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi declined an invitation to join talks on Israeli-Palestinian peace between the Egyptian, French, Germanand Jordanian foreign ministers in Cairo last week. Ashkenazi cited the country’s lockdown as the reason he didn’t attend, Al Monitor reports.