Libya: UN Announces Ceasefire among Fighting Factions in Tripoli
Factions fighting for the control of the Libyan capital have reached a ceasefire following over a week-long armed struggle that have killed dozens of people and displaced hundreds, the UN Special mission in the North African country said on Tuesday.
“A ceasefire agreement was reached + signed today to end all hostilities,” the U.N. mission in Libya said on Twitter.
According to the tweet, the agreement aims to “end all hostilities, protect civilians, safeguard public and private property.”
It is unclear if fighting have subdued.
Fighting erupted last week when the Seventh Brigade, militias which hail from Tarhouna, a town about 60 km south of Tripoli, attacked southern neighborhoods of the capital. The Tripoli Revolutionaries’ Brigades and the Nawasi Brigade – militias supporting the UN-backed government – have come to the city’s defense.
Fighting have killed over 60 people and injured at least 150 people, according to the PC-aligned ministry of health. Some 1,800 people fled the area.
The UN-brokered ceasefire came after the Presidential Council (PC) declared the state of emergency in the capital early this week when fighting hit the capital airport and damaged the oil facilities.
The UN also Tuesday said the Mitiga airport, which was closed on Friday, would be reopened under the deal.
As fighting raged last week, France, the U.S., Britain and Italy issued a joint a statement calling for a ceasefire and threatening to hold accountable the warring factions for attempts to weaken the PC.
The European Union had also called on all Libyan parties to cease immediately the hostilities raging in Tripoli and surrounding areas, pointing out that the escalating violence is further undermining the already fragile situation in Libya and that only a political process can bring a comprehensive, stable and sustainable solution to the crisis in Libya.
The European Union will continue to work with the United Nations and other international and regional partners to strengthen Libya’s sovereign institutions, to help implement elections based on an adequate and solid constitutional framework, and create professional security forces under civilian control, said High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini following a phone call Monday with UN Special EnvoyGhassan Salamé.
Turkey also on Sunday voiced concern over the clashes. The Turkish foreign ministry said it supports all ceasefire efforts seeking to restore peace and security in Tripoli.
