AU expresses grave concern over escalating Libya conflict

The African Union on Thursday voiced “great concern” about the flare-up of deadly fighting in Libya this week, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and for the pursuit of reconciliation efforts.

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5 killed in Libya

Fifty-five people have been killed and 146 wounded in the worst clashes in the capital Tripoli in a year which erupted on Monday night, Libyan media reported.

AU Commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat “is following with great concern the developments of the security situation in Tripoli, which have resulted in the loss of many lives and many more wounded”, the pan-African body said in a statement.

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Faki “urges all stakeholders and all military, political and social actors to put an immediate end to all hostilities… (and) reminds all stakeholders of the imperative need to pursue ongoing efforts towards national reconciliation,” it said.

Crisis

He also warned that there was,

“No military solution to the Libyan crisis and that Libya’s unity, peace, stability and historic international status can only be regained by peaceful means”.

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This week’s bout of fighting pitted two of the myriad of militias that have vied for power since the NATO-backed revolt that toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

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© Agence France-Presse