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UN deeply concerned by ongoing turmoil in Libya

May 28, 2014 at 11:34 am

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned by the recent developments in Libya, in particular “the growing military mobilisation in and around the capital Tripoli”, according to a statement issued on his behalf earlier this week.

In the statement Ki-moon also reaffirmed his full support for the efforts of his Special Representative and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which stands ready to facilitate internal “dialogue in the interest of peace and national unity”.

Last week, UNSMIL, which is headed by Tarek Mitri, also “voiced deep concern over recent violence in the country”.

According to Ki-moon’s statement, he fears that: “Armed confrontation risks negating the sacrifices made by the Libyan people during their struggle for freedom and human dignity, particularly at this critical juncture in the political transition process.”

The statement added: “The Secretary-General urges all parties in Libya to refrain from acts which undermine the democratic transition, and also to resume dialogue.”

On Tuesday, armed militants stormed the house of newly appointed Libyan Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteg. Gunfire erupted between the militias and his bodyguards. Al-Jazeera cited an official saying that one of the assailants was killed and another was arrested while the rest fled.

Maiteg was officially named prime minister on Monday. Parliament had elected him at the beginning of this month after a chaotic voting session that did not produce a clear result. First Deputy Speaker Ezzedin Al-Awami initially argued that Maiteq had failed to obtain the necessary quorum, and called for the country’s previous Prime Minister Abdulla Al-Thini to remain in office.

Then, in a decree posted on the parliament’s website, head of Libya’s interim parliament Nouri Abu-Sahmain, who wields quasi-presidential powers, confirmed that he had asked Maiteq to form a new government within two weeks, which Maiteg proceeded to do.