LibyaPolitics

Salame fears ‘international division’ over Libya

Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya Ghassan Salame expressed his concern about a split at the Security Council over the Libyan crisis as the situation worsens.

Salame revealed the UN mission is in talks with all conflicting parties to reach a ceasefire in Tripoli. He added that the Government of National Accord (GNA) required that the Libyan National Army (LNA) withdraws to their previous positions.

The UN postponed Libya’s national forum to the backdrop of artillery shelling and air raids in the capital.

A proposed UN resolution demands that all parties in Libya immediately de-escalate the fighting and commit to a ceasefire, Salame said.

The British-drafted resolution, circulated to Security Council members and obtained Tuesday by the Associated Press, also calls on all parties to immediately re-commit to attending a UN-facilitated political dialogue “and work toward a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Libya.”

Field Marshal Khalifa Hafter is supported by Russia, France, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates who see him as the best hope of stabilizing the troubled country and combatting extremists.

A proposed UN press statement soon after the offensive began urged the LNA to halt the attack was blocked by Russia, one of the permanent council members.

Such statements require approval by all 15 council members.

On April 4, the LNA announced the launch of an offensive against Tripoli, while the GNA ordered all allied military units to gear up to defend the capital. The warring factions are currently involved in battles along the outskirts of Tripoli.

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