UN worried that continued attacks in Libya could hamper aid delivery
CGTN
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The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Ghassan Salame, is worried about the “repeated indiscriminate” shelling targeting Tripoli’s Mitiga airport.

“These attacks have continued unabated since the start of the LNA [ Libyan National Army] offensive against Tripoli on April 4 despite the United Nations’ calls for the protection of all civilian infrastructure and for precautions to protect the civilian population”, stated Mr. Salame.

The attacks on the main airport are likely to interfere with the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage season, as the worshipers might find it hard to travel from western Libya.

On Saturday, after projectiles hit the immediate vicinity of the taxiway used by commercial airliners, more than 250 pilgrims were forced to seek alternative arrangements.

The UN envoy is worried about the broader impact of the fighting on the thousands of civilians trapped in front-line areas and the hundreds of thousands of displaced.

Libya has been beset by heightened violence since April, as forces loyal to General Khalifa, holding eastern Libya, attempt to take over Tripoli from GNA forces allied to UN-recognized Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarra.

The North African country has been dogged by war since 2011, following the ouster and death of former president Muammar Gaddafi.

The war has killed thousands and displaced millions as militant groups and human trafficking cells seek to impose their command in various regions across the country.

The UN has led calls for dialogue between the warring factions in order to stop the war and put the country on a recovery path.

Libya has been dogged by a civil war since 2011, following the death of former president Muammar Gaddafi.

Libya has been dogged by a civil war since 2011, following the death of former president Muammar Gaddafi.