Amidst fierce clashes in Libya, Ban urges need for dialogue
14 July 2014 – Extremely concerned by the dramatic increase in violence endangering civilians in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for a halt to the fighting and a return to the country's political objectives.
Rival militias vying for control of Libya's main airport have triggered clashes that media reports describe as the worst fighting in the capital for six months. At least seven people were reportedly killed yesterday and dozens others are wounded.
In a statement from his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said that he believed the such violent actions "undermine the sacrifices that so many Libyans made during the revolution in order to create a state based on the rule of law."
"The Secretary-General reiterates the urgent need for dialogue among all Libyan actors to agree on a peaceful way forward for the political transition process," the statement continued.
The North African country, which has been undergoing a democratic transition since the toppling in 2011 of former leader Muammar al-Qadhafi, has recently witnessed political tensions as well as major security developments, particularly in the eastern part of the country.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) urged yesterday that Libyan authorities, political forces and armed groups put an end to the plight of the civilians.
"The United Nations Support Mission in Libya reiterates its longstanding call to refrain from the use of force to achieve political objectives and reaffirms the necessity of political dialogue as a means to achieve national concord and agreement on the priorities of building state institutions grounded in the rule of law," it said.
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