Tripoli, 03 October 2014 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) strongly condemns the latest escalation of violence in Benghazi and other parts of the country, which is causing more bloodshed and destruction.

The latest violence acts come despite a call for a ceasefire by Libyan parliamentarians from across the political divide made following their first round of UN-facilitated dialogue in Ghadames on 29 September 2014.

The Mission calls on all sides involved in the fighting in Benghazi to heed calls by the Libyan people's elected representatives to bring an immediate stop to armed hostilities.

UNSMIL also condemns the outbreak of violence in southern Libya and urges all sides to exercise restraint and work together to address their differences through peaceful means.

On the eve of Eid al-Adha, the Mission calls on all parties to redouble their efforts in order to spare the Libyan people further hardship and suffering, and to allow for an environment that will be more conducive for the dialogue planned after the Eid holidays.

A ceasefire and a halt to the violence on the occasion of Eid is perhaps the best gift the Libyan people could wish for. UNSMIL once again stresses that a resort to violence cannot solve Libya's problems, and that a viable solution can only be achieved through peaceful dialogue.

The Mission welcomes the release of detainees, on Thursday 02 October 2014, by both Misrata and Zintan, organized with the assistance of Elders and Wise Men of Sabrata. These releases are a significant step towards building confidence and promoting a spirit of reconciliation, and UNSMIL hopes that more such steps will follow on all sides.