The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for an immediate cessation of violence in Tripoli and urged the Libyan parties to engage in a genuine dialogue to address the ongoing political impasse and not to use force to resolve their differences.

A statement by the Spokesman for the Secretary General, Stéphane Dujarric, has reiterated that Guterres is following with deep concern reports of violent clashes in Tripoli causing civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure

Guterres further called on the Libyan parties to protect civilians and refrain from taking any actions that could escalate tensions and deepen divisions.

The statement said that the UN remains ready to provide good offices and mediation to help Libyan actors chart a way out of the political deadlock, which is increasingly threatening Libya’s hard-won stability.

Heavy clashes took place in Tripoli on Friday and Saturday between armed groups loyal to Government of National Unity (GNU) and Fathi Bashagha's government.

GNU forces seized control of positions of Bashagha government's armed groups in Tripoli as clashes continued until Sunday dawn between GNU forces and Osama Juweili's forces at Gebis Checkpoint and April 7 Camp. Later, Juweili's forces withdrew to Al-Aziziyah area (40 km away south Tripoli).

The death toll of the Tripoli clashes increased on Sunday to 32 and 159 injuries, according to the Health Ministry.