Egypt's FM to Meet 'UNSMIL Head' in Cairo to Discuss Libyan Crisis

The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry announced that he will hold talks on Sunday with the Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Williams, in Cairo to discuss latest developments in the Libyan crisis.

The UNSMIL head will also meet a number of Egyptian senior officials to discuss ways to advance the political process and put an end the conflict in Libya in an attempt to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people.

Earlier today, the UNSMIL called for calm, the application of the rule of law and the preservation of the rights of all citizens to peacefully express their views, amid what it described as a “dramatic turn of events” leading to an increase in human rights violations across the country.

It added, “Libya is witnessing a dramatic turn of events that underlines the urgent need to return to a full and inclusive political process that will meet the aspirations of the Libyan people for representative government, dignity, and peace.”

The mission confirmed that it has monitored an increase in reports of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detention, restrictions on freedom of movement and expression, and right of peaceful assembly and protest, across Libya.

“In Tripoli, UNSMIL remains concerned about the excessive use of force against demonstrators as well as the arbitrary arrest of a number of civilians.” the statement added.

UNSMIL also expressed its concern over on-going human rights violations and abuses in Sirte, including the killing of one civilian, the arbitrary arrest of several others, and the illegal forced entry into private properties.