UNITED NATIONS, January 22 — After Libya's General National Congress said it would not participate in the UN-hosted talks in Geneva following the latest attack in Benghazi, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) issued a condemnation and called for renewed efforts to enforce an end to the hostilities on Thursday.
"UNSMIL condemns the reported armed attack against the Central Bank branch in Benghazi, a sovereign symbol of the Libyan State," the support mission said in its statement.
The mission added that an independent "commission of inquiry" needs to be set up to investigate the incident.
The special political mission also stressed the need for those that "unilaterally and willingly" reached the ceasefire deal earlier to ensure that the truce is "fully respected."
"The Mission urges the parties to liaise closely with UNSMIL to tackle any breaches that could endanger the ceasefire, and provide immediate clarifications and exchange information regarding incidents," UNSMIL concluded.
Media reports emerged late Thursday that fighters had taken over the central bank building in Libya's second-largest city of Benghazi, threatening further instability in the country.
The Libyan Civil War erupted in 2011 after the overthrow of the country's long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. A number of militia groups have been involved in a power struggle ever since.
According to the UN, thousands have died during the conflict, and the war has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. More than 120,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, while food and clean water shortages are plaguing the country.
