International divisions exacerbating Libya fighting says UN
An envoy says it is necessary to stem the inflow of new weapons being provided by certain countries.
Forces loyal to Libya’s unity government take up positions south of Tripoli to block an advance by fighters from Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army. AFP/Mahmud TURKIA
Libya’s ongoing fighting between forces loyal to rival governments jockeying for power in the oil-rich North African country is being exacerbated by divisions within the international community, the UN warned.
The UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, has expressed alarm at the continuing clashes in the capital Tripoli in the west which have claimed the lives of, and injured, hundreds of people as the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) from the east battles with forces which support the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).
Salame asserted that the international community’s support for different sides of the battle was making any hopes for a peaceful resolution harder as analysts warned that the country was on the brink of another civil war.
France has been accused by Italy of supporting renegade general Khalifa Hafter who leads the LNA. Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also backing Hafter while the UN backs the GNA.
Salame added that it would be possible to deescalate the situation but it was necessary to stem the inflow of new weapons being provided by certain countries which were helping to fuel the conflict.
– African News Agency
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
