23 October 2015 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) strongly condemns the terrorist attack which targeted a demonstration in the City of Benghazi on Friday 23 October 2015 in which a number of people were killed or wounded.

The Mission expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.

UNSMIL calls on Libyans to reject violence as a means to settle political differences and stresses that peaceful expression of political views is one of the basic rights in a free society.

The shelling of the demonstration in Benghazi serves to show once again that the unending violence is claiming more and more lives, particularly in the city where fighting has raged for over a year and has caused unimaginable suffering to its residents, including displacing more than 100,000 people. Stability in Benghazi is key to Libya’s overall stability, and the latest attack underscores the urgent need to bring peace to Libya.

UNSMIL urges Libyans of all affiliations to set aside their differences and engage in efforts through dialogue to resolve the crisis that is reaping more death and destruction in their country. Their best response to the perpetrators of this ugly crime in Benghazi today is by working together to bring peace to Libya. Only through unity can terrorism be confronted and violence brought to an end.