The United Nations envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame said airstrikes and violence are growing in Libya as the UNSMIL is racing time to find a peaceful solution and save the lives of civilians in Libya.
In his briefing at the UN Security Council on Monday, Salame said the use of air power and precision technology has become a dominant feature of an otherwise low intensity conflict, adding that the UNSMIL estimates the total number of drone strikes in support of Libyan National Army forces at well above 800 since the beginning of the conflict, while the total number of drone strikes in support of the Government of National Accord is estimated at around 240.
Salame said A biscuit factory in the Wadi Rabea neighbourhood of Tripoli was hit by an airstrike, causing “10 fatalities and over 35 injuries.
“It appears that the majority of the dead were migrants, but that at least two were Libyans. Regardless of whether the attack deliberately targeted the factory or was an indiscriminate attack, it may constitute a war crime.” He added.
Salame indicated that the southern Tripoli frontlines are highly fluid. The dangers and direct consequences of foreign interference are increasingly evident, saying that over the past days, many families are leaving the areas impacted by the shelling and that the arms embargo on Libya must be respected.
He stressed that all Libyans should resume the UN-led political process and economic reforms, adding that they all need to unite as the UN is hoping the Berlin conference will be providing solid solutions next month.
Salame said he met with the Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Head of Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj as he sensed an agreement on a ceasefire could take place along with a resumption of the political process.
He also talked about the disappearance of House of Representatives member Siham Sergiwa, saying for over four months, authorities in the east have been unable to produce information about the fate of this woman legislator and outspoken rights activist.
He said that inTripoli, the effects of the conflict continue to impact the civilian population, adding that more than 200 civilians have been killed and more than 24% of health facilities have been closed and that immigrants and refugees are facing violence and abuse risk.
The UN envoy reaffirmed that the upcoming days will be very critical for Libyans to succeed in taking things to their own hand as the external interventions remain very dangerous to the Libyan situation whose resolution needs agreement by the international community.
