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By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 20 May 2014:
Members of the international community have expressed growing anxiety about the situation in Libya.
In a . . .[restrict]press release yesterday, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed grave concern over “the various acts of violence, including the assaults on official institutions and the terrorising of civilians”.
The UNSMIL called on authorities to address the lawlessness immediately, “including the series of assassinations of army, police and judiciary personnel, and to develop a comprehensive security plan with the participation of political, security and social actors”.
The UNSMIL also called on all sides to “immediately cease all military action and related mobilisation, and to address differences by political means without violence and threats to the security of the country and its citizens”
The EU similarly expressed “deep concern” over developments in Libya.
“The EU renews its commitment to support the Libyan people … and calls on all parties to build consensus so as to ensure a transition to a stable democracy”, EU Foreign Affairs spokesman Michael Mann told the Associated Foreign Press.
In a press conference yesterday, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen likewise expressed his concern about the situation, urging all parties to “refrain from violence and engage in a national, political dialogue leading to free and fair elections based on a new constitution to ensure fully-fledge legitimacy in the future government of Libya”.
When asked if NATO stood ready to assist Libya, Rasmussen answered that the organisation had received a request for assistance in developing Libya’s security sector a year ago, to which they had responded positively.
“Unfortunately, we have had some difficulties in engaging with the Libyan authorities, also because of instability and lack of security in Libya. But once the Libyan authorities are ready to engage with us in a way that also ensures a safe environment for our assistance, we are ready to assist Libya to develop their security sector,” Rasmussen explained.
The Arab League also expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Libya.
Secretary General Nabil Al-Arabi called on “all Libyans of various political orientations to engage in dialogue to address issues of national urgency”.
Al-Arabi affirmed the commitment of the Arab League to the stability of Libya and pledged its support in “overcoming the challenges of this transition”.
Last week, the League appointed former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Kudwa to lead attempt to bring about national dialogue and reconciliation in Libya. [/restrict]
