The European Union has slapped sanctions on three Libyan officials accused of hindering the new U.N.-brokered unity government there from beginning its work.

The EU identified the three in its official journal yesterday as Agilah Saleh, parliament head in the eastern city of Tobruk, Khalifa Ghweil, head of the so-called National Salvation Government and Nuri Abu Sahmain, who leads the outdated General National Congress.

In a statement, the EU said the men have been "obstructing the implementation" of last December's Libyan political agreement and the formation of the so-called Government of National Accord.