Tripoli, 25 January 2014 – The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) hosted on 23 January the fifth consultative meeting of political leaders.

While UNSMIL continues to make efforts with the Libyans to achieve national consensus, the Mission notes with deep concern that the continued divisions and failure to reach a broad-based agreement on managing the transition may constitute a serious threat to national unity, peace and development.

The Mission calls for renewed efforts on the part of Libya's political leaders to reach a common understanding on how to address the latest political crisis as well as the unstable security situation, particularly the incidents in the South, East, western Tripoli and the kidnapping of diplomats and other civilians.

Libyan leaders are urged to act without delay to respond to the aspirations of the Libyan people and overcome their political differences.

In this regard, the Mission reiterates its readiness to continue providing any assistance needed to facilitate a genuine and consensus-seeking political dialogue to resolve the current political crisis.