The United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) said in a statement on Friday that it was monitoring with concern the recent mobilization of forces in various parts of Libya, particularly in the southern and western regions.
The statement added that UNSMIL commended ongoing efforts to deescalate the situation and prevent further tension.
UNSMIL urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any provocative military actions that could be perceived as offensive and might jeopardize Libya’s fragile stability and the safety of its people.
“The Mission calls for continued communication and coordination between forces affiliated to the LNA and GNU.” The statement remarked.
UNSMIL also said that it regretted that those developments coincided with the 84th anniversary of the foundation of Libya’s army and recalled the current division of the Libyan military institution.
UNSMIL reminded all military and security actors of the importance of a unified, accountable, and professional military and security institutions, saying it was ready to facilitate dialogue and provide all technical expertise and support.
The statement came after two days of military mobilizations by Khalifa Haftar’s forces that were confronted with similar build-up by armed units under the command of the Libyan Army in western Libya.
After news about Haftar forces’ intent to head to Ghadames and Shuweirif and take control of them, the so-called General Command of Haftar’s forces said their convoys headed to southern region cities like Ubari, Ghat and Brak Al-Shati for “border and local security”.
