The United Nations Security Council Tuesday called on UN Member States to recognize Skhirat government led by Fayaz Sirraj and end official contacts with authorities in Tripoli and Tobruk.
Two days earlier, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union expressed full support to the UN-imposed government, hinting at official recognition of the government without the vote of confidence from Tobruk Parliament.
A number of foreign observers said the western recognition of the government violates the political agreement signed in Skhirat on December 16 and would perpetuate the worsening status quo of Libya.
According to the agreement, the constitutional declaration must be amended before the government can get a vote of confidence, which did not happen.
Ken Hanly, a Canadian political analyst and philosophy professor said the UN-imposed government is "an instrument for the legitimization of foreign intervention in Libya."
" That is why even though the HoR has not voted confidence in the GNA, foreign powers accept it as a fact that the GNA is now the government of Libya — and the UN, U.S., and EU applaud the moves." He says.
Richard Galustian, a British political & security analyst with 40 years experience in MENA countries, said the UN-imposed government is illegitimate.
"It's a joke, it was not chosen by Libyans but foreigners." He told the Libya Observer, describing it as "the government in exile."
The Security Council extended Tuesday the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 15 June.
Last week, the UN-imposed government claimed power and urged Libya's state institutions, including the Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation, to stop dealing with Tripoli and Tobruk governments.