Tripoli, 26 May 2014 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) strongly condemns the assassination of journalist Muftah Abu Zeid, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Berniq, on Monday 26 May 2014 in Benghazi.

UNSMIL calls on the Libyan authorities to investigate this terrorist act, quickly announce the perpetrators of this and other crimes, and bring them to justice.

This repugnant act can never be justified under any circumstances. Freedom of expression is an international human right and journalists must not pay the ultimate price for doing their job and expressing their opinion freely.

Freedom of expression is one of the main goals of the 17th of February revolution that the Libyan people sacrificed so much to achieve.

As UNSMIL offers its sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Abu Zeid, the Mission once again calls on Libyans to refrain from resorting to violence and engage in constructive dialogue to safeguard their country.