On Wednesday, France called on all parties in Libya to refrain from any violence, and to respect the ceasefire agreement, after yesterday’s clashes in Tripoli.
The French Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Paris “calls on Libya’s stakeholders to commit to a genuine dialogue, with a view to reaching a viable political solution.”
France has urged for “transparent, impartial Presidential and Parliamentary elections throughout Libyan territory as soon as possible. In accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the expectations of the Libyan people.”
Violent clashes erupted on Tuesday in Tripoli after Parliament-backed Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha failed to enter the capital. Bashagha’s media office said the PM left Tripoli hours after his arrival, “to stop the bloodshed and ensure the safety and security of the people.”
He had entered overnight, accompanied by allied fighters in the hope of taking over the government headquarters. He was quickly met by opposition from forces aligned with incumbent PM, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
Bashagha condemned the armed escalation carried out by militias affiliated with the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli. He said he was surprised by the “dangerous military escalation,” despite him and his ministers entering Tripoli peacefully.
Notably, UN Adviser to Libya, Stephanie Williams called for “the need to preserve calm on the ground and to protect civilians”
She urged restraint, and insisted on the absolute necessity of “refraining from provocative actions, including inflammatory rhetoric, participation in clashes, and the mobilization of forces.”
“Conflict cannot be solved with violence, but with dialogue and mediation, and to this end, the good offices of the United Nations remain available to all parties who believe in helping Libya find a genuine, consensual way forward towards stability and elections,” Williams added.