By: RFE/RL
Source: RFE/R
The United Nations’ special envoy to Libya has hinted that next
week’s planned peace conference could be postponed amid ongoing fighting
between rival militias for control of the capital, Tripoli.
In a statement on April 9, Ghassan Salame expressed hope that the
meeting will be convened as soon as conditions permit, saying: “We
cannot ask people to take part in the conference during gunfire and air
strikes.”
The UN had planned to hold a conference in the southwestern town of
Ghadames from April 14 to April 16 to discuss a way out of the country’s
eight-year conflict.
Last week, militia commander Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled Libyan
National Army launched an offensive against Tripoli, which is controlled
by militias that support Libya’s UN-recognized government.
Haftar has since defied international calls to halt the advance that has killed dozens of people.
Russia has been a key supporter of the militia commander, along with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
The North African country has been torn by violence, political
instability, and power struggles since longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi
was overthrown and killed in 2011.
Based on reporting by AFP, AFP, the BBC, and Reuters
Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.