Ceasefire called for in Libya as clashes in south

24.7.2015 - Responding to renewed violence across the south, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for an immediate ceasefire.  In a statement released yesterday, UNSMIL reported that fighting was concentrated in the cities of Sabha, al-Kufra and Awbari, where at least 60 people have been killed in recent weeks, including four children.

This increase of fighting in the south and criminal activity in Sabha has forced hundreds to leave their homes.  It also demonstrates the need to move forward on the UN facilitated political agreement that was initialled in Skhirat, Morocco on July 11th and keep the momentum for a peaceful solution on track.

In a united voice, the UN Security Council last week encouraged “…all parties to engage with the Libyan political dialogue and unite in support of this agreement which will move the political transition process forward, through the formation of a Government of National Accord. The council went on to urge UNSMIL to further its efforts to gather support for a future agreement.