UNSC urged to press for immediate de-escalation of Libya tensions

Unitd Nations, Sep 3 The UN Security Council (UNSC) has been urged to press for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a return to negotiations in Libya, following the August 21 ceasefire call by rival political leaders.

"It is becoming a regrettable cliche to appear before you and warn that Libya is at a critical juncture, but yet I am compelled to pronounce these same words again," Xinhua news agency quoted Stephanie Williams, the deputy head of the UN Support Mission in Libya for political affairs, told Council members via video-teleconference on Wednesday.

"Libya is indeed at a decisive turning point. Your support - not only in words, but most importantly in action - will help determine whether the country descends into new depths of fragmentation and chaos or progresses towards a more prosperous future," she added.

Updating the situation since Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefed the Council on Libya in early July, Williams said that an uneasy standoff continues around the city of Sirte, imperiling the lives of its 130,000 inhabitants as well as the country's vital oil infrastructure.

While the frontlines have remained relatively quiet since June, foreign sponsors are continuing to deliver advanced weaponry and equipment - in violation of a UN arms embargo - to the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar, and forces controlled by the internationally recognized Government of National Aaccord (GNA).

Adding to the sense of instability are worsening socio-economic conditions that are fueling popular unrest and threatning the fragile calm required to move political and security talks forward, Williams added.

"The surge in the use of hate speech and incitement to violence - occasionally stirred through foreign-based media outlets and electronic armies - appears designed to further divide Libyans."

The Covid-19 pandemic meanwhile appears to be spiraling out of control in Libya, with the number of confirmed cases more than doubling in the past two weeks, with 15,156 cases and 250 recorded deaths as of now.

"Nearing full collapse after more than nine years of conflict, the health care system is unable to respond to the additional weight placed by Covid-19 patients along with maintaining normal health services," she said.

Underscoring humanitarian challenges, Williams emphasized that migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers are still trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe,.

With more than 7,000 migrants and refugees attempting the crossing this year, and more than 300 killed whilst doing so, she said European countries should consider "a more humane and predictable disembarkation mechanism" in line with their international human rights and search and rescue obligations.

( With inputs from IANS )