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The UN Security Council has called on the Libyan warring parties to commit to a ceasefire following a deadly air raid on a detention center for migrants and refugees near the capital, Tripoli.
"The members of the Security Council have stressed the need for all parties to urgently defuse the situation and commit to a ceasefire," said Friday. organization, composed of 15 members.
"Lasting peace and stability in Libya will only be possible through a political solution."
The most powerful body of the UN also called on the parties to resume political talks quickly under the auspices of the UN and urged other countries not to intervene or exacerbate the conflict in Libya, ravaged by chaos since the overthrow of President Muammar Gaddafi in power 2011.
The Council's press release was the first approved by the 15 members since the leader of the so-called Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, launched an offensive in early April to fight the capital against forces loyal to the UN.Government recognized national agreement (GNA).
The statement was motivated by Tuesday's attack on the Tajoura detention center, which reportedly killed 53 people and wounded more than 130 others, the council said. The International Organization for Migration said Friday that six children were among the victims.
The UN body met on Wednesday, but was not able to make a statement – which requires a consensus – because the United States could not do it. accept, said diplomats.
However, the statement issued Friday was largely unchanged from the one that was discussed on Wednesday, diplomats said.
The council found it difficult to unite on how to deal with the resumption of violence in Libya. Shortly after Haftar began his offensive, the United States and Russia both declared to their council colleagues that they could not support a resolution that would have called for a ceasefire in Libya. .
The renewed conflict threatens to disrupt oil supplies, to provoke Mediterranean migration in Europe, to thwart UN plans to hold elections to resolve the rivalry between East-West parallel administrations – and to create a security vacuum that can be filled by armed groups.
The warring parties both enjoy the military support of the regional powers.
Haftar's forces have been supplied for years by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, while Turkey has recently shipped arms to Tripoli to stop the Haftar badault, diplomats said.
"The members of the Security Council called for absolute respect for the arms embargo by all member states," reads a statement, and "called on all member states not to intervene in the conflict or take measures exacerbating the conflict ".
The council also "expressed deep concern" at the worsening humanitarian situation in Libya, and called on the parties to allow humanitarian agencies to give full access. He also said that he was "concerned about the conditions in detention centers that are the responsibility of the Libyan government".
Some 6,000 people are held in government-run detention centers, in often inhumane conditions, according to human rights groups and the UN.
In April, US President Donald Trump paid tribute to Haftar during his military badault in Tripoli.
In a phone call to Haftar, Trump "recognized the important role of Marshal Haftar in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources.The two men discussed a common vision of the transition of the Libya towards a democratic and stable political system, "according to a statement from the White House.
Trump's praise for Haftar was seen in Tripoli as a reversal of US policy in Libya, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for an immediate halt to the Haftar offensive earlier this month.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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