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LIBYA-POLITICS-UN-CONFLICT
Libya seeks UN ‘security’ support
UNITED NATIONS, United States, Sept 29, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – After a month of
militia clashes that left more than 100 people dead, Libya’s UN-backed
foreign minister on Friday called for the country’s UN political mission to
transform into a “security and stability” support role.
Mohamed Siala, foreign minister of the UN-backed Libyan unity government,
did not specify if he had in mind a UN peacekeeping mission.
“Priority must be given to security, to stability,” he told the United
Nations General Assembly.
“We call for conversion of UNSMIL, which is a special political mission,
into a mission of support for Libya’s security and stability,” he said
without providing further detail.
The United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL), led by Ghassan
Salame, was set up in 2011 to assist the country’s new authorities after the
NATO-backed revolution which ousted Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
UNSMIL has focused on fostering political dialogue to help the North
African country’s transition to democracy.
Under a UN-brokered agreement, the unity government was set up in Tripoli
but it is not recognized by a rival administration supported by military
strongman Khalifa Haftar in Libya’s east.
Tripoli itself has been at the center of a battle for influence between
armed groups with shifting allegiances. A month of clashes left more than 100
dead south of the city before the unity government on Wednesday announced a
ceasefire deal between rival militias.
Siala welcomed the efforts of UNSMIL which he said enabled the conclusion
of the ceasefire.
“We ask concerned parties to respect it. National and international legal
bodies will pursue the authors of these tragic attacks,” he said.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1304 hrs