Development of the situation in Libya

PRESS RELEASE

According to the incoming reports, military actions, including the use of heavy artillery, are continuing in different Libyan regions.

Since 13 July there have been armed confrontations between the militarised groups near the Tripoli International Airport, which already killed no less than 5 persons and injured about 25 persons. The airport was closed for several days because of this. There were new murders and kidnappings of military personnel and employees of law enforcement agencies, as well as a series of terrorist attacks against civil sites in Bengazi and Derna in the east of Libya. Against this backdrop, a military operation with the use of aviation and artillery, which is being conducted by the Libyan National Army commanded by General Khalifa Haftar, is continuing in Bengazi.

Moscow is concerned about the tense situation in Libya. The escalation of violence significantly complicates the efforts aimed at the organisation of a comprehensive national dialogue. The announcement of the final results of the election to a new temporary legislative body – the Chamber of Deputies, which was postponed to the 20 July, is being delayed further.

We appeal to the Libyan political forces to show restraint and common sense, when settling any arising conflict situations. We are convinced that any disputable issues of national agenda can be resolved by political methods without the use of violence based on reciprocal compromises, taking into consideration interests of all the Libyans and the need to keep sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya.

14 July 2014