New York – UN envoy in Libya Martin Kobler on Thursday called on all the warring parties in Benghazi to ensure that civilians are protected.
Kobler urged them to allow and facilitate the safe and immediate exit of all civilians who were trapped in areas affected by fighting.
“All civilians, man, woman or child, Libyan or foreigner wanting to leave the areas of fighting in Benghazi must be allowed to do so as a matter of urgency.
“The warring parties must ensure civilians are free to leave and that their evacuation is safe.
“The wounded must be taken care of and everyone must be treated humanely, in line with international humanitarian law,’’ Kobler, said in a statement in New York.
He reminded the warring parties of their obligations to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
“All parties must ensure the protection of civilians in accordance with international law, and those who fail to do so must be held accountable,’’ he noted.
He noted that a large number of civilians, including Libyans and migrant workers, were trapped in areas of fighting in Benghazi, including the Ganfouda, Gawarsha and Marissa neighbourhoods.
He added that they faced shortages of electricity, food, medical supplies and other necessities, in addition to the hazards of active fighting.
The envoy also said that the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) had long been seeking to arrange a humanitarian ceasefire in Benghazi that would allow all civilians wishing to leave to do so.
He added that UNSMIL would facilitate the work of humanitarian organisations on the ground.
“So far, it has not been able to secure the agreement of the warring parties,’’ Kobler regretted. (PANA/NAN)