UN condemns Benghazi clashes, urges political dialog in Libya

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has condemned the escalation of violence in the eastern city of Benghazi, calling on the country’s warring parties to make efforts to reach a peace deal as soon as possible.

“UNSMIL calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Benghazi and across Libya, and calls on the warring parties to desist from any escalation or counterattack,” read the statement issued by the mission on Sunday, adding, “Developments on the ground in Libya over the course of the past year have clearly shown that a military solution is not a viable option.”

The statement came a day after the Libyan army, headed by General Khalifa Haftar, launched airstrikes against the positions of militant groups in Benghazi’s districts of Leithi, Gwarsha and Sabri.

The UNSMIL stated that the aerial attacks “clearly” aim to undermine the ongoing UN-sponsored peace talks between Libyan warring factions in the Moroccan city of Skhirat.

“The airstrikes are a clear attempt to undermine and derail the ongoing efforts to end the conflict at a time when the negotiations have entered a final and most critical stage,” the statement said, urging all Libyan sides “to exercise utmost restraint to give the ongoing dialog in Skhirat the chance to successfully conclude in the coming hours.”

The mission also hailed Skhirat peace talks as “a historic opportunity” to end the deadly conflict in the North African country, calling for “a political settlement that ensures inclusion, balance and consensus.”

The UNSMIL further stressed that targeting civilians in clashes is “prohibited under international humanitarian law and could constitute war crimes,” warning that those responsible for civilian casualties in the Arab country “will be fully held accountable.”

Libya has two rival camps vying for control of the country, with one controlling Tripoli, and the other in control of the cities of Bayda and Tobruk.

Libya plunged into chaos after the ouster of the country's former dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011, which gave rise to patchworks of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The presence of Takfiri Daesh militants has further complicated the situation in the violence-wracked country.

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