United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for an end to violence in Libya in accordance with a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement.
According to a health ministry toll at least 39 people have been killed and some 100 injured in five days of clashes among rival militias, which broke out Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli.
"The Secretary-General condemns the continued escalation of violence in and around Libya's capital and, in particular, the use by armed groups of indiscriminate shelling leading to the death and injury of civilians, including children," a statement from Guterres' office said.
"The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and abide by the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United Nations and the Reconciliation Committees."
In a joint statement Britain, France, Italy and the United States have said they "warn those who tamper with security in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya that they will be held accountable for any such actions."
Fighting continues on in Tripoli
Fighting between rival militias in Libya escalated on Saturday, with the forces of the seventh brigade seizing control of large parts of the capital Tripoli, including the airport road and a number of military camps as it continues to advance towards the city center.
In a related development, at least three people were injured in random shelling when a rocket hit the Al-Waddan Hotel, which overlooks the bay of Tripoli and is popular with foreigners, and only 100 meters away from the Italian embassy.
It was not immediately clear if they were clients or staff members.
The rival militias reached a cease-fire agreement, but continued rocket attacks breached the agreement, with more than 15 rockets hitting other parts of the city on Friday and early Saturday morning, which has been at the epicenter of a bitter power struggle since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising.
The country currently face a power struggle between two rival governments in Tripoli and the east of the country, each supporting a group of armed militias.
-
Airport in Libya’s capital is shut down after shelling
In the latest development in Libya, sources revealed to Al Arabiya news channel that the capital’s airport was shut down after some rockets ... North Africa -
27 dead after days of clashes near Libya capital: ministry
At least 27 people have been killed and nearly 100 wounded in several days of fighting between rival militias near the Libyan capital, the health ... North Africa -
Will Libya resort to electing an interim president?
Libyan parliament speaker Aguila Saleh hinted on Monday the possibility of holding a presidential elections and elect an interim president for the ... Features -
Gunmen attack checkpoint in western Libya, killing six
At least six people were killed in a gun attack by suspected militants on a checkpoint east of the Libyan capital Tripoli on Thursday, a local ... North Africa -
Libya court sentences 45 to death over 2011 killings
A Libyan appeals court on Wednesday sentenced 45 people to death by firing squad for killings committed in the capital, Tripoli, during a 2011 ... North Africa