United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls on all actors in Libya to avoid violence and refrain from any steps that can undermine stability in the country, Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said in a statement Sunday.
“The Secretary-General is following with concern the demonstrations that were held in several cities in Libya, including Tripoli, Tobruk and Benghazi, on July 1,” the spokesman said. “Recognizing the right to demonstrate peacefully, he calls on all protestors to avoid acts of violence and on the security forces to exercise utmost restraint,” Dujarric noted.
“The Secretary-General calls on all actors to refrain from any actions that could undermine stability. The Secretary-General urges Libyan actors to come together to overcome the continued political deadlock, which is deepening divisions and negatively impacting the country’s economy,” he added.
On Friday, protesters stormed the premises of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (parliament) and set it on fire amid protests in several Libyan cities calling for the abolition of legislative and executive bodies and holding elections as soon as possible.
Libya has been plagued by turmoil and divisions since the 2011 ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
UN-sponsored talks between Libyan rivals to agree on a constitutional framework for holding the long-awaited elections have been deadlocked.
Libyans are still waiting for elections to take place in hopes that the vote will contribute to ending years of armed conflict in the oil-rich country.
