Libya's internationally recognized government in Tripoli announced a ceasefire on Friday and the leader of a rival parliament in eastern Libya also appealed for a halt to hostilities.

The statements offered hope for a de-escalation of a regionalized conflict that has wracked the country since a 2011 uprising, displacing hundreds of thousands, slashing oil production and opening space for migrant smugglers and militants.

However, previous efforts to secure lasting truces and political settlements have stalled, and political leaders hold limited sway over armed groups in two broad factions that have been split between western and eastern Libya since 2014.

The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) faces east-Libyan based forces led by veteran commander Khalifa Haftar, who launched a 14-month offensive on Tripoli before Turkish military support for the GNA forced him to retreat in June.

Following international calls for a ceasefire and a demilitarized zone around Sirte, on Friday the GNA said its head Fayez al-Sarraj had "issued instructions to all military forces to immediately cease fire and all combat operations in all Libyan territories."

Regional powers have long voiced support for a political solution while routinely violating an arms embargo on Libya, according to UN experts.

On Friday, many welcomed the ceasefire push, including Egypt, Algeria, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Qatar, which is aligned with Turkey and the GNA, also praised the move.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "hopes the calls for a ceasefire will be respected immediately by armed forces from both sides."

The United Nations has been coordinating international efforts for military, political and economic deals in Libya following an international summit in January in Berlin.

(With input from Reuters, AFP)