Britain has expressed concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Libya, Reuters reported Thursday.
After meeting with head of the Government of the National Accord (GNA) Faiez al-Sarraj and and British Prime Minister Theresa May in London, U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said “diplomacy is the only way to bring this bloodshed and uncertainty in Libya to a close.”
“The UK government shares Prime Minister Sarraj’s grave concern at the situation across Libya, where the security and humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate,” Hunt added.
“We called on Prime Minister Sarraj to encourage all sides to commit to a ceasefire, secure humanitarian access for those desperately in need and return to UN-led political negotiations,” he continued.
On Monday, The United Nations renewed its call for a truce in Tripoli after conflicting parties did not abide by a previous proposal for a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan.
“Unfortunately, the truce has so far not been observed and fighting continues on the outskirts of Tripoli,” said spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) had called for a truce starting from 4 a.m. Monday, marking the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
The UN said the truce would allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, and to ensure the freedom of movement of civilians.
“The fighting continues in and around Tripoli, Up to 104 civilian casualties, including 23 civilian deaths, have so far been verified by the health sector since the assault on Tripoli started a month ago,” Dujarric said.
Most displaced people are staying in urban areas with friends or family, or in rented accommodation. There are 29 collective shelters in operation, housing close to 3,000 people, he said.
On April 4, General Commander of the eastern LNA, Khalifa Haftar, ordered his army to “liberate” the western region, including the Libyan capital of Tripoli, from armed and terrorist groups, seizing regions in the western including al-Hira town, Qasr Bani Ghashi and Tripoli Airport.
