Moussa Faki urges Libyan belligerents to silence arms and respect Libyans' aspirations for peace
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat, said here Saturday he was following with "deep concern" the recent developments in Tripoli, calling on the warring parties to silence the weapons by refraining from any form of violence out of respect for the Libyan people's aspirations for peace.
Violent armed clashes broke out on Thursday night in Tripoli, during which small and medium weapons were used, between armed elements of the "Deterrence Device to Fight Terrorism and Organized Crime" and others affiliated to the "Tripoli Revolutionary Brigade", resulting in 16 deaths, including six civilians, and injury to 52 others.
A statement issued on Saturday evening by the African Union (AU) said the AU Commission chairperson deplored "the loss of lives resulting from yesterday's clashes between rival armed groups".
It stressed that "the safety of civilians is an obligation under international humanitarian law", reiterating the African Union's continued commitment to support the peace process in Libya through its Roadmap for Reconciliation led by the AU Ad Hoc High Level Committee on Libya headed by President Sassou Nguesso of Congo.
The AU High Level Committee on Libya is considering organizing a national reconciliation conference in Libya to pave the way for the organization of presidential and legislative elections.
The AUC chairperson also urged all political actors, in the interest of lasting peace and security, to redouble their efforts to find amicable solutions to the current crisis and place the interests of Libya and the Libyan people above all other considerations.
-0- PANA BY/IS/BBA/RA 24July2022
