Calling for end to violent turmoil in Libya, UN urges peaceful settlement of differences

19 May 2014 – The United Nations mission in Libya today voiced deep concern over the recent violence in the country, and called on all sides to address differences through political means and on authorities to quickly address the lawlessness.

According to media reports, fierce fighting swept across the capital, Tripoli, on Sunday, after armed men stormed the country’s interim parliament. The violence is reported to be some of the worst since the 2011 uprising that ousted former leader Muammar al-Qadhafi.

In a news release, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed its deep concern over “the various acts of violence, including the assaults on official institutions and the terrorizing of civilians.”

It also condemned the grave security deterioration in the eastern region resulting in the high number of civilian casualties.

“The Mission calls on the authorities to immediately and quickly address the lawlessness, including the series of assassinations targeting the army, police and judiciary personnel, and to develop and implement a comprehensive security plan with the participation of political, security and social actors,” it stated.

“In this critical period, UNSMIL calls on all sides to immediately cease all military action and related mobilization, and to address differences by political means without violence and threats to the security of the country and the citizens.”

While undergoing its democratic transition, Libya has also been grappling with a deteriorating security situation. The first three months of this year witnessed a dramatic increase in violence across the country, according to the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNSMIL, Tarek Mitri, including targeted assassinations, bombings, abductions and attacks on state institutions and civilians.

Source: UN News Centre – Africa