Libya: Increased military activities, Guterres plans visit

(Patria) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday of the possibility of an escalation of armed conflict in Libya after eastern Libyan military forces moved westward and clashed with opposing forces south of Tripoli, Patria reports.

Expressing deep concern over military activities in Libya, the UN chief believes there is no military solution to the current situation, stating that 'only internal dialogue in Libya can solve Libya's problems,' Reuters reported.

Guterres called for peace and restraint from conflict, and revealed that he plans to travel to Libya to negotiate with Libyan leaders.

Divided country

Libya has been in crisis since the 2011 civil war when Muammar Gaddafi was ousted from power.

It is divided between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and a parallel administration linked to Khalifa Haftar. His forces control the eastern parts of the country and are now expanding southward in Libya.

Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) began moving westward, while their media office released a video of the army's movement from Benghazi, Euronews reports.

Media reported an exchange of fire between the LNA and forces under the control of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj near Gharyan, south of Tripoli.

The new armed conflict in Libya is also devastating for the UN, which has been making concrete efforts for years to politically stabilize the country.

After the 2011 civil war, the UN established a special support mission for Libya (UNSMIL) with the aim of re-establishing the rule of law in the country. UNSMIL's mandate was extended until September 15, 2019.

Libya has been a member of the United Nations since 1955.