Libya: UN Secretary General condemns 'in the strongest terms' attack on hotel in Tripoli

“Terrorism has no place in the new Libya and will not undermine the ongoing political dialogue which the United Nations is facilitating,” the Secretary-General’s spokesperson said in a statement released today, in which he also expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

The UN chief also commended the courage of the Libyan actors who are participating in the dialogue to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis.

Yesterday, the UN Security Council also condemned the attack and reaffirmed full support for Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bernardino León, and urged all the parties in Libya to engage constructively with his efforts to resume an inclusive political process aimed at addressing the political and security challenges facing the country.

The Council's call for constructive engagement comes as participants in the Libyan dialogue facilitated by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which  León heads, concluded two days of discussions held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

According to a press statement from UNSMIL, the discussions were conducted in a positive atmosphere reflecting the sense of national responsibility and a sincere determination to find solutions to end the political and military conflict buffeting their country.

Participants, continued the Mission, discussed the issue of the formation of a consensual national unity government to ensure the unity of the country and State institutions. This includes the government's mandate, program, the decision-making process as well as the criteria for selecting its members.

“Participants also discussed how this government could benefit from UNSMIL support to carry out its tasks and the guarantees the international community could provide in this regard and in dealing with anyone who obstructs the political and security process,” said the statement.

Photo: UNSMIL/Abbas Toumi