23 July 2015 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is deeply concerned about the renewed clashes in southern Libya, particularly in the cities of Sabha, al-Kufra and Awbari, and calls for an immediate end to the violence. Reports indicate that the recent fighting in Sabha has resulted in scores of people killed, including three women and four children.

The repeated clashes in the area have also forced hundreds of families to flee their homes and seek refuge with other communities.

UNSMIL calls for an immediate ceasefire and supports all local and national efforts for peace and reconciliation. The Mission also urges the sides involved in the confrontations to exercise maximum restraint, listen to the voice of wisdom and engage in talks to address their differences by political means.

The Mission reminds the sides to the conflict that attacks against civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law and can constitute war crimes.

The escalation in fighting in the south, along with a sharp rise in criminal activities in Sabha which have claimed the lives of more than 60 people in recent weeks, are further reminders of the chaos engulfing Libya and the need for the main Libyan actors to move quickly to reach a political settlement that would restore state authority and ensure security and stability to their country.