Ban concerned by recent developments in Libya

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was "deeply concerned" by the growing military mobilisation in and around the Libyan capital Tripoli, and called on all parties and leaders of military formations to abide by their moral and legal obligations to safeguard and protect civilians. "Armed confrontation risks negating the sacrifices made by the Libyan people during their struggle for freedom and human dignity, particularly at this critical juncture in the political transition process," his press office said in a statement. Ban urged all Libyan parties to refrain from acts which undermine the democratic transition, and to resume dialogue, reaffirming his full support for the efforts of his special envoy and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Tareq Metri, who stands ready to facilitate such dialogue in the interest of peace and national unity in the country. Retired Gen. Khalifa Aftar launched a campaign against Islamist militias in the country last week in a bid to establish peace and order after three years of chaos following the death of late Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Source: KUNA