By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 12 December 2014:
British Ambassador Michael Aron has warned of a “growing culture of fear” in Libya that . . .[restrict]is reminiscent the political climate under Qaddafi. He said that Libyans were now reluctant to discuss politics or criticise different parties and individuals in power.
In a speech delivered in Arabic and posted on The UK in Libya’s official Facebook page marking the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ambassador said the UK wanted to see Libya become a peaceful and stable democratic country. It was working closely with the United Nations to see that a space was made for a comprehensive national dialogue.
Expressing deep concern about the current human rights crisis in Libya, Aron said: “I am deeply saddened by the increasingly difficult situation for Libyans. Thousands have been displaced from their homes and there are still many who are being illegally detained and, in some cases, tortured.” A
ron is one of the few foreign diplomats who have returned to Libya for visits since the evacuations of most of the foreign embassies this past summer. In September, he, along with the British Special Envoy to Libya Jonathan Powell, travelled to Tobruk to meet with officials from the House of Representatives (HoR) and on to Misrata to meet the Misrata Municipal Council and the eight boycotting members of the HoR. Aron returned in November to again meet officials from the HoR.
The British diplomatic mission has been operating out of Tunis since July. [/restrict]
