Libya calls on UNSC to investigate Al-Abyar massacre

The UN Security Council must investigate the “obscene” murder of 37 people in Libya’s Al-Abyar district to bring criminals to justice, the Supreme Council of State said yesterday.

“This crime is a violation of humanity’s morals and the general command is to blame directly for the perpetrators’ atrocity,” the council said, referring to General Khalifa Haftar’s forces that control the area.

This attack reinforces that political divisions is dangerous and that the Government of National Accord is unable to carry out its duties – mainly protecting civilians.

On Thursday, a mass grave of 37 people was discovered in Al-Abyar neighbourhood, 70 kilometres east of Benghazi. The bodies were handcuffed with shots in their heads.

Read: Libya’s Haftar joins Tripoli government in investigating mass execution

“Our legal commission has been tasked with contacting local legal and human rights groups to coordinate an action that can limit such crimes and take lawful measures against the perpetrators.”

Since the overthrow of the longtime Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in a popular uprising in 2011, Libya has been involved in a power struggle which has led to security chaos. There are currently three governments in the country with Brigadier General Khalifa Haftar heading one in Benghazi, the UN-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli headed by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj, and the Tobruk-based government of Abdullah Al-Thinni.