By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said on Tuesday that it is following with “deep concern” the ongoing mobilization of forces in Tripoli and warns against “threats to resort to force to resolve legitimacy claims in Libya.”
In a statement, the UN affirmed that the “current political stalemate and all aspects of the crisis that afflict Libya cannot be resolved through armed confrontation.”
“These issues can only be resolved by the Libyan people exercising their right to choose their leaders and the renewal of legitimacy of State institutions through democratic elections,” it said.
The Mission called for “immediate de-escalation” and reiterated that the use of force by any party is “not acceptable” and “will not lead to an outcome that secures recognition by the international community.”
Libya has in recent times been confronted in stalemate after the eastern-based parliament swore in a new prime minister despite the incumbent in Tripoli refusing to cede power, leading to a standoff with armed factions backing each side.
Rival forces have engaged in arm confrontation in the capital, Tripoli, raising the prospect of wider clashes and a return to sustained warfare after two years of comparative peace.
In Tripoli, Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah was installed last year through a UN-backed process to head the new Government of National Unity and oversee an election that was scheduled to be held last December.
After the election process collapsed, leading to rival factions refusing to agree on the rules, the eastern-based parliament said Dbeibah’s term had expired and it appointed Fathi Bashagha to lead a new government.
However, Dbeibah and some major factions in northwest Libya have rejected the parliament’s right to replace him and he has said he will only quit after national elections.
