Libya's political transition in grave peril

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that Libya is in "deep crisis," with an unprecedented violence, calling on all parties in the country to peacefully resolve the ongoing conflict.
"The political transition process is facing its biggest challenge since the revolution," Ban said at a high-level event on Libya held on the sidelines of the 69th UN General Assembly session.
"The country is increasingly divided. Violence and intimidation is rampant. We must do our utmost to reverse this course and help the Libyan people safeguard their democratic transition," he stressed.
More than 300,000 people are displaced, and airports, government buildings and other vital infrastructure have been destroyed, he said.
He stressed that hospitals are suffering from acute shortages of medical supplies.
"The legitimately-elected legislature, the House of Representatives, has been forced to base itself in (the city of) Tobruk, and a number of its members have boycotted its proceedings," he said.
Ban called for utmost efforts to help the Libyan people safeguard their democratic transition.
The crisis is not only threading Libya, but also the region and beyond through illegal weapons flows and increasing pockets of lawlessness and extremism, the UN chief confirmed.
Ban called for supporting the principles of non-interference in Libya's internal affairs and respect for its national sovereignty.
""There is no space for violence in the political transition process. Concerns must be addressed through inclusive political dialogue, including with those in Tobruk, Misrata, Tripoli, Benghazi and elsewhere," he went on.
The unrest in Libya forced the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to temporarily evacuate from the country while the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the Mission, Bernardino Leon, continues to shuttle between the warring parties to promote dialogue as the only way out of the crisis.
Ban emphasized the need for a complete ceasefire and an agreement to find peace, and said he is encouraged by the positive response of the parties to Mr. Leon's initiative to facilitate dialogue between them on September 29.
Ban hoped that the Libyans will seize this opportunity to find a suitable solution to the conflict with the help of the special representative.
Source: KUNA