Libya's two rival legislative bodies have signed a unified public spending agreement — the first since 2013 — brokered under U.S. mediation. The deal was signed on 11 April by representatives of the Benghazi-based parliament and the Tripoli-based High Council of State, following months of talks facilitated by Massad Boulos, the U.S. presidential adviser for Africa and the Middle East. The agreement was welcomed by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Libyan Central Bank, which said it "reflects real progress toward unifying budget policy," though the development comes as Libya faces a $9 billion deficit despite $22 billion in oil revenues last year.