TRIPOLI: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in the Libyan capital yesterday for a surprise visit aimed at bolstering talks between political parties in the violence-plagued country, his office said.
The North African nation has been sliding into chaos since longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in an uprising three years ago, with interim authorities confronted by powerful militias that fought to oust him.
Ban flew into Tripoli just weeks after the outgoing government admitted from its safe refuge in the east of the country that it had in effect lost control of the capital to armed militias.
The UN chief was due to meet members of political parties to support talks aimed at ending a split that has further destabilised the oil-rich nation.
He was to urge Libyan parties “to press forward with their nascent dialogue in order to restore stability to their crisis-ridden country”, his office said in a statement.
The discussions later yesterday were to include the deputy president of the house of representatives, other members of the house and lawmakers who boycotted parliamentary sessions, it said.
The foreign minister of Italy as well as special envoys from several countries were also expected to attend.
The UN mission chief in Libya, Bernardino Leon, managed to bring the rival factions together for talks in the remote oasis town of Ghadames on September 29.
At the time the UN envoy hailed the discussions as “very constructive and very positive”.
Libya’s parliament elected in June is recognised by the international community but contested by the militia controlling most of the capital Tripoli and by Islamists who hold much of the eastern city of Benghazi.
The majority faction in the legislature has been meeting in the far eastern town of Tobruk near the border with Egypt.
The UN refugee agency said Friday that clashes between rival militias had driven an estimated 287,000 people from their homes, including about 100,000 who have fled the outskirts of the capital.
Another 15,000 people were estimated to have been displaced around Benghazi, it said.
“The need for healthcare, food, and other basic commodities — plus for shelter ahead of winter — has become critical,” said UN refugee agency spokesman Adrian Edwards.
Last week, the UN Security Council warned of possible sanctions against those who reject peace in Libya. Since the beginning of September, Islamists have been trying to capture Benghazi airport, with its military and civilian airfields.
At least 17 people have been killed this week in fighting for the airport. AFP
