Libya's U.N.-established presidency council has effectively given the go-ahead for 18 government ministers to start work, even though they have not received backing from the parliament based in the country's east.

Monday's development is an effort to bypass a political deadlock that continues to grip this North African country.

The council was created under a U.N.-brokered unity deal to reconcile Libya's many political divisions. But it has failed to secure a vote of confidence by the country's internationally-recognized parliament, based in Tobruk, a city in eastern Libya.

The U.N. deal also created a de facto Cabinet to administer the country under Prime Minister-designate Fayez Serraj.

Divisions in the Tobruk parliament between boycotters and supporters of the new government have prevented the house from reaching a quorum to endorse the council.

In another development, as top diplomats begin meeting on bringing peace to Libya, Germany's foreign minister says it is too early to say whether talks will succeed in moving toward that goal.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke to reporters Monday shortly before foreign ministers or their deputies from more than 20 nations began their discussions with top representatives of Libya's internationally recognized government.

He says that with chaos still rampant, it is an open question whether the talks will succeed in nudging Libya from "a place ... where terrorism, human smuggling and criminal instability expands" and toward re-establishing Libya's unity.

Monday's meeting is being convened by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni of Italy, the former colonial power that ruled Libya.