Conflicting factions in Libya are set to resume talks on Tuesday according to officials from both sides, as the death toll in the country reaches almost 700 in the last four months of fighting, reports Reuters.

"The U.N.-sponsored peace talks will take place in Libya on Tuesday unless anything unforeseeable happens," said Emhemed Shoaib, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, which is internationally recognised as the legitimate government of Libya.

The opposing faction, parliament known as General National Congress (GNC), resides in the city of Tripoli, set up after Libya Dawn seized the city last year.

Whilst visiting Tripoli, UN Special Envoy Bernadino Leon confirmed that talks would be starting this week. The United Nations reportedly initially wanted talks to take place in Geneva, but the GNC insisted that they take place inside Libya. Earlier talks held in Septmeber last year ended with no progress made.

The location of the talks has not yet been disclosed. Plans for local ceasefires and prisoner exchanges are thought to be on the agenda, in the first step towards resolving the conflict that has raged across the country.

The UN Security Council warned unspecified “further steps” would be taken after Houthi militants took control of the Yemeni government and dissolved parliament.

UN Security Council members said they were "gravely concerned" and "called in the strongest terms for all parties, in particular the Houthis, to abide by the GCC initiative and the national dialogue conference."

Security Council President Liu Jieyi further warned the body was ready to "to take further steps" if negotiations were not "immediately" restarted.

Nigeria's presidential election have been postponed over security concerns, after the military said it would not be able to help during the poll, as it was too busy fighting Boko Haram in the north.

The election, initially to be held on February 14, is being closely contested by President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari and will now be held at the end of March.

Speaking to Channel 4 News ahead of the official announcement of the postponement by the electoral commision, Gen Buhari said he would oppose it and that the government was using Boko Haram as an excuse not to hold the election.

Mr Buhari said to Reuters it was a "big disgrace" that other countries had more success in fighting Boko Haram than Nigeria.

The prime minister of East Timor and leader of the independence struggle against Indonesian rule, Xanana Gusmao, resigned on Friday, to make way for younger generations.

The 68 year old former guerilla leader hinted towards his wish to see a next generation of leaders, over one year ago.

"The government confirms that the prime minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, has sent his letter of resignation from the post of prime minister to the president of the republic, H.E. Taur Matan Ruak," the government said in a statement.

Houthi rebels have announced they are taking control of the Yemeni government and dissolving parliament.

The Shia movement, which took control of the capital Sanaa last year, said it would appoint a five-member council to take over from the president and set a deadline for political parties to reach an agreement on ending the country's political turmoil by Wednesday, threatening to act unilaterally otherwise.

“The EU believes that the publication of the Commission of Inquiry’s findings and its recommendations on accountability are necessary to ensure that such violence against civilians cannot be undertaken with impunity.”

“The people of South Sudan and in particular the victims deserve no less, and it will in the long run enable greater accountability and give rise to more robust political stability.”

Nato will today announce a plan to bolster its military presence in the east of Europe, amidst continuing fighting in Ukraine.

The alliance’s defence ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday and are expected to announce a new rapid reaction "spearhead" force of up to 5,000 troops, the biggest reinforcement since the end of the Cold War.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said the bloc was responding to "the aggressive actions we have seen from Russia, violating international law and annexing Crimea."