Libyan issue must be solved politically: Chinese UN envoy

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese UN envoy said Monday the parties to the Libyan conflict should stick to dialogues to promote the Libyan political process and that the Libyan issue must be solved politically.

At a Security Council meeting on Libya, Chinese Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Wu Haitao said China calls on all parties to the conflict "to cease fire as soon as possible, cease the tension, and return to the track of peaceful dialogues and consultations with a view to realizing lasting peace and stability in the country."

He said the international community should respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Libya and adhere to the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process.

Moreover, Wu urged countries with influences to play an active role and exert their influences to facilitate all parties in Libya to address their differences and increase mutual trust.

They should also provide constructive help to realize ceasefire and resume political dialogues, he added.

In particular, the African Union and the Arab League have special advantages in mediating among parties to the conflict, he said, urging the council members to support them in playing their role and creating synergy with the work of the United Nations.

Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid insecurity and chaos since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The instability resulted in a divided country, with the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) overseeing the west and a rival government in the east. Each is backed by an array of armed groups fighting over resources and territories.

In early April, the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army launched an operation in an attempt to take over Tripoli. The GNA has since been fighting the eastern-based fighters around the Libyan capital.

Before Wu spoke, Ghassan Salame, head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said in Tripoli the effects of the renewed conflict continue to impact the civilian population.

Salame reported that more than 200 civilians have been killed and more than 128,000 people have fled their homes since the conflict began on April 4; more than 135,000 civilians remain in frontline areas, and an additional 270,000 people live in areas directly affected by conflict. Enditem

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