Conflict forces 2,800 civilians to flee Tripoli
The clashes started when the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar announced an offensive on Tripoli last week
GENEVA: Armed conflict in the Libyan capital Tripoli has led to the forced displacement of 2,800 civilians, the UN said.
Roads, according to the global body, remain closed to humanitarian convoys. Urging for an immediate end to the violence, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the military escalation, including an aerial attack on an airport in Tripoli, according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
In a statement, Dujarric said, “The Secretary-General urges the immediate halt of all military operations in order to de-escalate the situation and prevent an all-out conflict. He emphasizes that there is no military solution to the Libya conflict and calls on all parties to engage in immediate dialogue to reach a political solution. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Libya stands ready to facilitate that dialogue.
“The Secretary-General further reminds all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law to ensure the safety of all civilians. All Libyans deserve peace, security, prosperity and respect for human rights.” According to Libya’s Ministry of Health, the clashes have led to the deaths of 21 people.
“Based on information from the central operation chamber of the Ministry of Health, the casualties are 21 dead and 27 injured,” the ministry said. Opposing him are forces loyal to the UN-backed government led by Prime Minister Fayyaz Al-Sarraj in the capital. World powers have continuously called for an end to the fighting.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Haftar’s forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital. Forces should return to status quo ante positions. “All involved parties have a responsibility to urgently de-escalate the situation, as the UN Security Council and G7 ministers emphasised on 5 April.
This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans.
“There is no military solutions to the Libyan conflict,” Pompeo added, “A political solution is the only way to unify the country and provide a plan for security, stability, and prosperity for all Libyans.”
The French presidency also announced that President Emmanuel Macron has spoken to both Haftar and Al-Sarraj over the past two days in a bid to ease tensions in the North African country.
Expressing “deep concerns about the last developments,” Macron told the rival parties that “there is no military solution to the Libyan conflict,” urging them “to act immediately to end the fighting and ease tension.”
“France will spare no effort to bring together, with its international partners, Libyan actors around a durable political solution,” the Elysee said.
Russian authorities also said they were working hard to end the clashes. “Russia, of course, uses all opportunities it has to urge all parties to abandon any actions that could provoke bloody battles and civilian deaths,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the reporters.