The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the immediate adherence to the ceasefire announced by Libya’s warring factions on Friday.
In a statement by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, Guterres welcomed the announcements by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Serraj of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and the Speaker of the eastern-based House of Representatives Aguila Saleh.
“The Secretary-General hopes the calls for a ceasefire will be respected immediately by armed forces from both sides and that its implementation will be taken up quickly within the UN-facilitated 5+5 Joint Military Commission. He also welcomes the call for an end to the blockage of oil production,” the statement said.
Secretary-General @antonioguterres welcomes calls for ceasefire, end to hostilities in Libya. @UNSMILibya
Full statement here: https://t.co/NoiWk7mUNz
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) August 21, 2020
Libya has been dogged by a civil war for years, sparked by the killing of former long-serving president Muammar Gadaffi.
The war has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands as each faction claims legitimacy.
Forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) under Fayez al-Sarraj and those under eastern commander Khalifa Haftar have been receiving support from various countries in their quest to take control of the country.
The ceasefire agreement was also welcomed by the African Union.
