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UN-LIBYA-CONFLICT-DIPLOMACY
UN chief fears ‘full civil war’ in Libya
UNITED NATIONS, United States, Aug 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – UN Secretary
General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that he fears Libya will end up in a
“full civil war” unless moves are soon made to end the conflict.
“Unless action is taken in the near term, it is highly likely that the
current conflict will escalate into full civil war,” Guterres said in the
report.
He acknowledged the need for the support of the international community in
finding a political solution for the country, where forces loyal to strongman
Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive to take the capital Tripoli from the UN-
recognized Government of National Accord in early April.
“I urge all parties to stop using explosive weapons, including by aerial
bombardment or shelling, in populated areas because of their likely
indiscriminate effects,” the secretary general wrote.
Fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli has left 1,000 people dead and
displaced 120,000 since the start of Haftar’s offensive.
“A political solution to the Libyan conflict requires the full and united
support of the international community,” Guterres said.
“I am concerned by the presence of foreign fighters and mercenaries being
employed by parties to the conflict in Libya as well as by the influx of
weapons to the country,” he said, calling for strict adherence to an arms
embargo in place since 2011.
UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame has also denounced such “external
interference,” in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde.
“When I bring this situation up to the Security Council,” he said, “I do
not find that there is the necessary unity to sanction such behaviors, which
contradict both the sovereignty of the country and related UN resolutions.”
According to Salame, these “interferences… encourage opposing parties
within Libya to keep fighting.”
Government of National Accord chief Fayed al-Sarraj is supported by Turkey
and Qatar, while Haftar is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and
has received political support from the US, Russia and France.
In his report, Guterres also expressed concern for refugees and migrants in
Libya.
“Refugees and migrants in Libya should be released and provided with safe
shelter until their asylum claims can be processed or they can be provided
with safe repatriation assistance for reunification with their families,” he
said.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0909 hrs