Senior UN Official Meets Libya's Acting Interior Minister: UN Staff will Return to Libya Soon

22 Jul 2014

Senior UN Official Meets Libya's Acting Interior Minister: UN Staff will Return to Libya Soon

Tripoli, 22 July 2014 – UNICEF Special Representative and the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Libya a.i., Ghassan Khalil, met in Tripoli on Monday 21 July 2014 with Libya's Acting Interior Minister Saleh Mazek.

In the meeting, the Minister confirmed the constant partnership with the United Nations and the need for its presence and support in Libya.

Mr. Khalil pledged continued United Nations support for Libya's democratic transition and assured that the withdrawal of staff of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and other UN agencies several days ago from Tripoli because of security conditions was a temporary measure and that they will soon return.

“The UN is committed to support the Libyan people and it urges all to ensure the protection of civilians and to guarantee that women and children receive special protection," said Mr. Khalil.

He added: "The UN staff who left Libya will come back once the security situation improves and they will continue supporting the national stakeholders in strengthening democracy, social protection and sustainable development in Libya."

Mr. Khalil raised also the need to make sure that children do not participate in armed conflicts and that the Ministry of Interior has a crucial role in this regard.

The meeting was attended by undersecretary at Interior Ministry Adel Alsmati and other senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and the UN.