Tripoli, 03 June 2014 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is following with deep concern the rapid developments taking place in the Eastern region, particularly in Benghazi. UNSMIL condemns the loss of lives and injuries among civilian and believes that the persistence and increasing range of clashes involving heavy weaponry and aerial attacks need to be addressed immediately to ensure the situation does not deteriorate to dangerous levels.

In this regard, UNSMIL calls for ceasing the bloodshed and allowing an opportunity for political efforts to take their course.

The clear rise in terrorist acts in the Eastern region in recent years, as well as the continuous targeting of both civilians and members of the military, constitute an evident challenge to State authority and necessitate an agreement on precise means and mechanisms to counter that terrorism within the framework of the State institutions, supported by the political and military forces that shun terrorism.

UNSMIL calls on the official authorities to take the initiative and utilize the necessary capacities to respond to this phenomenon, as it poses a threat to the modern civil state project, to the opportunities for stability, and to Libyan foreign relations, both regional and international.