UNSMIL Condemns Daesh Attacks in Sirte, Urges Libyans to Finalize Agreement Join Against Terrorism

15 Aug 2015

UNSMIL Condemns Daesh Attacks in Sirte, Urges Libyans to Finalize Agreement Join Against Terrorism

15 August 2015 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) strongly condemns attacks by the so-called Islamic State (Daesh) in the city of Sirte, including reports of indiscriminate shelling of residential neighbourhoods and the killing of captives the terrorist group has controlled since May.

At a time when Libyan key political stakeholders gathered in Geneva for a dialogue to resolve the country's crisis and send a strong message of unity, the terrorist group once again struck to impose its reign of terror.

The Mission has warned time and again of the growing danger of Daesh and the threat that this group poses to the country's unity as well as to all Libyans irrespective of their affiliation.

UNSMIL stresses that it is high time that Libyans set aside their differences and join together to confront the scourge of Daesh.

While UNSMIL notes Libyan calls for swift action to save Sirte and its people from Daesh's hold and prevent atrocities, the Mission urges the Libyan stakeholders to urgently finalize a political agreement and establish a Government of National Accord that, in partnership with the international community, can address the threat of Daesh and other challenges facing the country.

Terrorism is becoming a regional threat, with a reach surpassing national borders and causing so much suffering to the people. The Mission condemns all acts of terrorism, including the recent abduction and murder of a Croatian national in Egypt.