UNSMIL Urges End to Violence in Libya, Calls for Release of Brothers of HoR Member Abu Bakr Said

25 Mar 2015

UNSMIL Urges End to Violence in Libya, Calls for Release of Brothers of HoR Member Abu Bakr Said

25 March 2015 – The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is gravely concerned about the continuing violence across Libya and calls for its immediate end. The fighting, bombings and abductions not only increase the suffering of the people but also harm the positive and constructive spirit displayed by the participants to the Libyan political dialogue round taking place in Morocco.

In the last few days, eight members of a family were killed in an attack in Tarhuna. On Tuesday 24 March 2015, a suicide bombing killed eight in Benghazi. On Wednesday 25 March 2015, five people were killed in a suicide bombing in Sirte. These suicide attacks show the expanding arm of terrorism that is targeting all sides and that all Libyans stand against.

In addition, the fighting continues in Obari in the south, threatening the social fabric of the city.
The Mission calls on the conflicting parties in Obari to cease the hostilities, and warns that attacks against civilians and violation of human rights are acts punishable under international law and perpetrators will be held accountable.

In Tripoli, two brothers of a member of the House of Representatives for Tarhuna, Abu Bakr Ahmed Said, were abducted by an armed group. The Mission condemns the abduction and calls on the security authorities on the ground and all the influential actors in Tripoli to do their utmost to ensure that they are unharmed and that they are released immediately.

UNSMIL stresses that the abduction for the purpose of putting pressure on the member of the parliament is an unacceptable act that could have negative effect on the political dialogue as Libyans try to find ways to end the conflict in their country.

UNSMIL calls on all Libyan actors to work towards de-escalation to give peace a chance.