By RFIPalled on 30-08-2019Modified on 30-08-2019 at 16:47
As the war in Libya begins its fifth month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday (August 29th) presented a 22-page report on the situation in the country. He expressed his fears of Libya sinking into a generalized civil war if nothing is done quickly to end the conflict.
Antonio Guterres urges all Libyan parties to cease hostilities, to stop fighting and air raids. He calls on all factions to resume the political dialogue and calls for " full and unanimous " support from the international community to reach a solution far from the noise of arms. Western countries have been rather divided at the UN during recent meetings on the Libyan issue.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations has also been very concerned about the presence of foreign mercenaries recruited by the various parties to the conflict and also the influx of arms into Libya. He called for strict compliance with the arms embargo imposed by the UN. His special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salamé , had warned repeatedly about " outside interference ".
In his report, Antonio Guterres also denounced the intervention of militias in the work of the sovereign institutions in the government of Fayez el-Sarraj. " This is a source of concern, " he said, noting that the state must follow a comprehensive security strategy that reunifies and professionalizes security institutions.
Antonio Guterres finally called for releasing migrants from detention centers. He asks the authorities to shelter them with dignity, until their asylum application is processed or until they receive assistance for safe repatriation.
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