Press Statement on Sabha, 29, March 2012

30 Mar 2012

Press Statement on Sabha, 29, March 2012

Tripoli 29 March, 2012 - The United Nation Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomes the securing of the cease-fire brokered locally last night in Sabha. Reports from the Sabha Medical Center indicate that the fighting over the past four days has resulted in approximately 50 killed and 167 wounded.

In coordination with the Sabha Local Council, the Libyan Red Crescent, security forces, and tribal leaders, IOM and UN staff in Sabha are responding with pre-positioned non-food items to help address the urgent humanitarian needs and additional medical kits have already been deployed to assist with the wounded. Additional supplies will be dispatched over the coming days.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya Ian Martin appeals to all sides to resolve the situation through dialogue and peaceful means: "it is critical that the Government and all sides take steps to further de-escalate the situation and address the underlying causes of this recent fighting."