UN unanimously extends Libya's arms embargo for 1 year
TheUnited NationsSecurity Council (UNSC) on Monday unanimously extended the ban on the flow of weapons toLibyafor another one year, even as infighting between rebelcommanderKhalifa Haftar's forces and UN-backed government shows no signs of abating in the strife-torn North African nation.
The arms embargo, which is implemented by aEuropean Union(EU) force, will remain in effect until June 2020. In 2016, UNSC had authorised EU's Operation Sophia, which was initially aimed at tackling human trafficking, to inspect ships in theMediterranean Seasuspected of carrying weapons that could violate the arms embargo,Anadolu News Agencyreported.
UNSecretary-GeneralAntonio Guterresis to report to the UNSC within 11 months on the embargo's implement, according to a resolution adopted.
Haftar'sLibyan National Army(LNA) has remained unsuccessful so far in capturing Libya's capitalTripolifrom the UN-backedGovernment of National Accord(GNA) ever since fighting began in April.
However, the LNA has a sizeable presence in several areas aroundTripoli.
Libyahas been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of dictatorMuammar Gaddafiin 2011. The LNA controls the eastern part of Libya, while the UN-backed GNA governs Libya's western region fromTripoli.
While the LNA is backed byEgyptand theUnited Arab Emirates(UAE), it has accusedTurkeyof supporting the GNA and its forces in Tripoli.
More than 90,000 people have been displaced ever since the fighting broke out, while over 500 people have lost their lives.
The international community has urged for a peaceful resolution to the intense fighting which has ensued in the African country.