Libya Unrest: UN and EU send strong warnings against ceasefire violations
Updated 10:50, 02-Oct-2018
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02:29
The UN and the EU have warned that those who've violated the ceasefire in Libya will face the consequences. At least 116 people have been killed in recent weeks, as rival militia clash in Tripoli. Security in the capital has been severely compromised -- with attacks reaching key government facilities, including the airport. Adel EL Mahrouky has more details.
The Libyan capital Tripoli is seeing the worst spree of violence in months. Militias have engaged in deadly attacks, violating a U.N. brokered cease fire. They've also attacked the capital's airport and national oil company.
MOHAMED MAHMOUD POLITICAL ANALYST, AL-AHRAM ONLINE "I'm not optimistic. The instability we've seen since the fall of Qaddafi, and even with efforts to restore stability that General Haftar brought to the Eastern territories, there is still a major problem, the tribal nature of militias in Libya. There are continuous efforts to control more territories. The violence we've seen recently, and statements from militias leaders, doesn't indicate at all that such groups have the slightest intention to sit and talk or reach peace."
The United Nations and the European Union have condemned the latest security deteriorations. After over one hundred dead and nearly 400 others injured, U.N. officials say they'll compile a list of violators and charge them with war crimes.
MOHAMED MAHMOUD POLITICAL ANALYST, AL-AHRAM ONLINE "The way the United Nations is managing the crisis appears, very chique. It's extremely ineffective at the same time. I don't think a solution will be reached on the short or medium terms."
Meanwhile, Fayez Al Sarraj, who's leading the U.N. backed presidential council, appears to have no control over these armed groups. And while many were hopeful elections could have been held to end this years-long conflict, some critiques have lost hope.
MOHAMED MAHMOUD POLITICAL ANALYST, AL-AHRAM ONLINE "I think holding elections is extremely difficult, and even if there are strong names like Al Sarraj or General Haftar running in these presumed elections, no one will accept the outcomes of the results. The elections if held, despite all procedural challenges, if one name wins, the others won't recognize it. Libya needs consensus, that I don't think that will happen soon."
ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO, EGYPT "The world has been moving tirelessly to bring Libyan together, the latest round of violence seen in Tripoli though, is starting to convince many analysts, that maybe some factions on the ground, do not want peace after all. AMA, CGTN, CA."