ADDIS ABABA: The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called on all parties to the conflict in Libya to “immediately cease hostilities.”
The AU Commission chairperson “is deeply concerned with the recent military build-up and the surge of violent clashes in Tripoli, and calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities,” an AU statement issued late Sunday read.
Mahamat emphasized that the security of civilians is an obligation of the Libyan authorities.
He called for “strict respect for continental and international humanitarian law and human rights law by all parties.”
The 55-member pan African bloc further reiterated the African Union’s “strong commitment” to intensify support for peace and national reconciliation in Libya.
He encouraged the parties to the conflict in Libya to work closely towards sustainable peace, stability and prosperity for the Libyan people.
On Saturday, the country’s Health Ministry said death toll of the clashes in the Libyan capital Tripoli has increased to 23.
The war-torn northern African country has been suffering violence and unrest ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011.