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UN Chief: Serious Political Dialogue In Libya Won't Restart Amid Hostilities

© REUTERS / Ismail ZitounySmoke rises during a battle between Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government and Islamic State fighters in neighborhood Number Two in Sirte, Libya August 16, 2016
Smoke rises during a battle between Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government and Islamic State fighters in neighborhood Number Two in Sirte, Libya August 16, 2016 - Sputnik International
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UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Serious political dialogue that should be resumed in Libya cannot be launched until the hostilities completely stop in the country, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a briefing.

"It is very clear for me that we need to restart a serious political dialogue and a serious political negotiation, but it is obvious that that cannot take place without full stop of the hostilities", Guterres told reporters on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Haftar's Army Downs Military Aircraft En Route From Misrata, Libya — Official

The situation in Libya escalated last week, when the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced on Thursday an offensive against Tripoli in a bid to oust what trrorist forces from the city. Haftar's forces have reportedly taken control over the nearby cities of Surman and Garyan and have also carried out airstrikes against Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport, claiming that they targeted military aircraft.

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In response, armed forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) started a military operation against the LNA on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the United Nations have issued an appeal for a temporary humanitarian truce in Libya that would allow the passage of civilians who wish to leave Tripoli and provide the provision of humanitarian assistance

The security and political situation in Libya has been unstable ever since the 2011 revolution, as the country is still divided between two authorities, with the LNA-backed parliament ruling over eastern Libya and the GNA controlling the west of the country.

READ MORE: LNA Operation in Tripoli to Not Affect Plans to Hold Elections in Libya — Gov't

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