19 March 2015 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemns the military attack the morning of Thursday 19 March 2015 on Mitiga Airport in Tripoli.

This latest attack is risking sparking an escalation that threatens to undermine the ongoing political dialogue process at a time when the talks are at a decisive phase. The United Nations is gathering information about the attack, but its timing suggests it might be intended to undermine the national dialogue.

On Wednesday, UNSMIL condemned the military attacks against the Airport in Zintan and warned that such acts threaten the resumption of the talks in Morocco this week.

These attacks on Mitiga, Zintan and elsewhere across Libya, coming at a time when Libya's leaders are engaged in a dialogue process, are unjustified and seek to undermine the process that most Libyans unanimously support as the only way for a peaceful end to the conflict in their country.

UNSMIL is confident that these futile attempts at derailing the dialogue process would only strengthen the resolve of the parties engaged in the dialogue and serve as an incentive for them to forge ahead with a strong sense of national responsibility and a spirit of openness, reconciliation and determination to reach a political agreement to bring peace and stability to Libya.

The Mission once again calls on all sides to refrain from any reciprocal attacks, exercise maximum restraint and allow the political dialogue to proceed in a conducive environment. UNSMIL urges the warring parties not to attack civilian and other key infrastructure which directly endanger civilian lives and contribute to the further destruction of Libya’s infrastructure.

The motives of those intent on military escalation serve to undermine the efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of the Libyan conflict. The Mission once again urges Libya’s leaders to assume their legal and political responsibilities by ensuring that all forces operating under their command comply with the political commitment they have made within the framework of the dialogue process.

The attack Thursday on Mitiga is forcing a delay in the arrival of participants from Tripoli. The Mission is confident that all the invited participants will come to the talks prepared to address the issues in a constructive spirit.