Libya: UN condemns string of suicide attacks, urges continued political dialogue

23 May 2015 – The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has condemned a spate of suicide bombings committed by Islamist terrorists in what it says is a blatant effort to undermine the country’s ongoing political dialogue.

“At a time when all parties in Libya are exerting intense efforts to try and reach a political agreement that brings an end to the political and military conflict, there can be no doubt about the timing of these terrorist attacks, which are clearly part of a systematic campaign to undermine the ongoing dialogue process, and to instil a sense of mistrust and hostility among the different parties,” UNSMIL declared in its statement.

According to reports, militants aligned with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have claimed responsibility for the attacks which have taken place over the past week in the areas of al-Qubba, Sirte, and Misrata.

In its statement, the UN Mission reiterated its call on all political stakeholders and security actors in the country “to refrain from taking any action that undermines the ongoing dialogue efforts” or which escalates military tensions and provides space for ISIL to derail the peace efforts.

“In this regard, the Mission welcomes the recent statements by a number of civilian and military entities in Libya pledging commitment to ongoing efforts in support of dialogue and local reconciliation initiatives,” UNSMIL continued.

In addition, the statement said the Mission praised the various reconciliation gestures that have taken place between different towns and cities over the past weeks and which had added “further positive momentum” to efforts to reach a comprehensive and durable solution to the Libyan conflict.

Source: UN News Centre – Africa