UN chief condemns escalating violence in Libya

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UNITED NATIONS, United States, Sept 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – United Nations
chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for an end to violence in Libya in
accordance with a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement.

According to a health ministry toll at least 39 people have been killed and
some 100 injured in five days of clashes among rival militias, which broke
out Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli.

“The Secretary-General condemns the continued escalation of violence in and
around Libya’s capital and, in particular, the use by armed groups of
indiscriminate shelling leading to the death and injury of civilians,
including children,” a statement from Guterres’ office said.

“The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease
hostilities and abide by the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United
Nations and the Reconciliation Committees.”

In a joint statement Britain, France, Italy and the United States have said
they “warn those who tamper with security in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya
that they will be held accountable for any such actions.”

The Libyan capital has been at the center of a battle for influence between
armed groups since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.