UN mission urges armed groups to withdraw from Libyan capital

16/5/2025 6:15

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday called on armed factions to immediately withdraw from the Libyan capital Tripoli and return to their barracks after two days of violent clashes left at least six people dead.

"UNSMIL is profoundly alarmed by reports of live ammunition being used against protesters in Tripoli who took to the streets last night," UNSMIL said in a statement, noting it is "closely monitoring the fragile truce" in the capital.

The UN mission said it is engaging with mediators and working on launching a dedicated mechanism to support and sustain the current truce.

Violent clashes broke out late Monday in Tripoli between forces loyal to Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah and the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), a powerful militant group affiliated with the Presidency Council, amid reports of the death of Abdul Ghani al-Kikli, also known as Ghaniwa, who was head of the SSA.

On Wednesday, Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity declared a ceasefire following intense overnight clashes between the rival militias that spread into central and residential districts of the capital.

On Thursday, the Interior Ministry said that the security situation in Tripoli is stable.

Libya has been mired in political turmoil and insecurity since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains split between rival administrations: an eastern-based government in Tobruk backed by the House of Representatives, and a western-based government in Tripoli aligned with the UN-recognized Presidency Council.