UN mission evacuates staff from Libya

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya, UNSMIL, evacuated its foreign staff from Libya on Sunday due to the deteriorating security situation in the capital Tripoli. Anadolu news agency quoted a source in the mission who revealed the basic details of the move. The UN team called on the conflicting parties for an immediate ceasefire and to resolve their differences through dialogue.

The anonymous source said, “After due deliberations, the UN mission decided to evacuate its foreign staff to Tunisia by land.” No further information was provided. It was not possible to get an immediate comment from the Libyan authorities.

The procedure will be the first of its kind for the mission, which employs dozens of foreigners in several disciplines and provides military advice and technical and financial assistance to build the capacity of Libyan government institutions.

The UN mission began its work in Libya after the popular uprising which toppled the regime of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 9, with 30 wounded, following clashes on Sunday near Tripoli airport between the Libyan army and the Qaqa’ and Saqa’eq militias, the Ministry of Health reported.