UN chief makes surprise visit to Libya

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has traveled to Libya on a surprise visit to resolve the political crisis in the North African country.

Ban, who flew to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Saturday, urged peace talks aimed at ending the violent conflict in the destabilized nation.

“There is no alternative to dialogue,” He said, adding, “It is my conviction that all problems in Libya can be solved through dialogue. Nevertheless, we understand that the path will be long and difficult.”

Ban met some lawmakers from Libya’s elected House of Representatives, which has relocated to the remote eastern city of Tobruk, and a number of lawmakers from the city of Misrata who have boycotted the new parliament’s sessions.

“If violent confrontations do not cease immediately, if sustainable peace is not restored, prosperity and a better life will be a distant dream,” Ban told rival lawmakers.

Libya’s government and elected parliament moved to Tobruk after an armed group from the western city of Misrata seized Tripoli and most government institutions in August.

The new Tripoli rulers have set up a rival parliament and government not recognized by the international community.

The peace talks between dominant rival groups started on September 29 in the town of Ghadames.

Libya has plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources.

MSM/NN/AS