By Jan Ellen
UNITED NATIONS (TURKISH JOURNAL) – According to the United Nations Envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, the ceasefire agreed upon at the Berlin summit that might have led to talks toward a political solution, exists only on paper.
On Thursday, Salame informed the UN Security Council that artillery shelling increased between both sides in the Libyan conflict. Salame said Haftar’s forces attacked Libyan Army forces under the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Al-Wishka using multiple weaponry including drones.
Salame further informed the Security Council that civilian casualties have burgeoned with at least four children dead and numerous civilian casualties. He added that the United Nations Support Mission In Libya (UNSMIL) has documented 110 ceasefire violations since the ceasefire took effect January 12.
In his statement to the Council, he commented: “There are spoiling parties in Libya and outside it claiming to accept political solutions in international circles but are working on military solutions. I’m concerned about the violations in Sirte after Haftar’s forces have seized it. The UNSMIL received reports about extrajudicial executions and killings in Haftar-controlled areas in Tarhouna and Tripoli.
Turkish President Erdogan condemned Haftar’s military attacks and sharply criticised France this week after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Turkey of “clear violations” related to the Berlin Summit agreement. The Turkish Foreign Ministry and Erdogan rebuked Macron’s by accusing France of being the “main actor” in the Libyan conflict whose sole interest is Liya’s “natural resources.”
