UN calls for increased efforts towards Libya crisis resolution

The UN has called on parties in the Libyan dispute to redouble their efforts towards reaching a political solution and spare the people of further suffering.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Libya, Abdul Elah Al-Khatib, made the call while addressing reporters in New York after briefing the Security Council in a closed-door meeting on the latest developments.

He said: “The process of negotiating a solution has begun, though we are still, regrettably, a considerable distance from finding the solution.

“For the sake of the Libyan people, I sincerely hope the time required to reach a solution can be shortened, but this will require greater vision and the will to move in that direction.”

Libya battle

Hundreds of people are confirmed to have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since opposition forces rose up against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in February.

Fighting between forces loyal to Gaddafi and the rebels seeking to overthrow his regime has escalated in recent days in addition to worsening humanitarian situation.

Necessary political solution

Al-Khatib stressed that any lasting end to the conflict will require a political solution, and this solution must fulfil the Libyan people’s legitimate aspirations for a peaceful and democratic future.

"Fighting to the bitter end will only lead to more unnecessary suffering,” he said.

He urged the parties to increase their focus on working towards a political solution, noting that he would like to see indirect discussions evolve into direct talks. 

The UN envoy was in Libyan capital, Tripoli, last Saturday where he met with both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister.

NAN/Williams