THE European Union slapped sanctions on three rival Libyan leaders yesterday for opposing the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

The EU named the three in its official gazette as Agilah Saleh Issa, Khalifa Ghweil and Nuri Abu Sahmain.

Mr Saleh Issa is president of the US-backed Council of Deputies in the eastern city of Tobruk, while Mr Ghweil is prime minister of its Tripoli-based rival National Salvation Government (NSG) and Nuri Abu Sahmain heads the General National Congress, the parliament backing the NSG.