Speaking at a major, high-level summit on Libya, held in the German capital Berlin on Sunday, UN Secretary-General
António Guterres evoked the disastrous humanitarian situation faced by thousands of civilians, as conflict in the North
African country grows deeper and more destructive.
As fight continues between forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar, which control large tracts of territory in the
country, and the government in Tripoli, world leaders attended the International Conference in the hope of finding a
political solution.
General Khaftar’s forces have besieged the capital since April, and the fighting has been fuelled by increasing foreign
interference. Whilst the government is backed by the UN, The Libyan National Army of General Khaftar has support from
Russia and some Middle Eastern States.
The human toll, Mr. Guterres told the assembled delegates, has been severe, with international humanitarian law defied
on multiple occasions: “More than 220 schools in Tripoli are closed, depriving 116,000 children of their basic human
right to an education. Migrants and refugees, trapped in detention centres near the fighting, have also been affected
and continue to suffer in horrendous conditions. This terrible situation cannot be allowed to continue”.
The Libyan threat to an already unstable region
Reiterating his belief that there is no military solution in Libya, the UN chief issued a reminder of the dangerous
consequences of a full-blown civil war which, he said, could lead to a “humanitarian nightmare”, and leave the country
vulnerable to permanent division. A civil war also risks further destabilizing the entire southern Mediterranean and
Sahel region, exacerbating the threats of terrorism, human trafficking, and the smuggling of drugs and weapons.
Mr. Guterres welcomed the recent ceasefire between the two sides, and urged them to “engage in good faith dialogue on
political, economic and military issues in a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned inclusive process”, which, he affirmed, will be
supported by the UN.
“We will stand with the Libyan people as they work to resolve their differences through discussion and compromise in
good faith”, concluded the Secretary-General, “and chart a way to a more peaceful future”.