The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Sunday urged Libyan parties to avoid escalation and refrain from any action that could threaten the unity of the country and its institutions.

Responding to a statement received earlier that day, entitled  “Statement by Barqa Officials in the Government of National Unity,” the UN mission urged concerned parties to avert any escalation that may pose a threat to domestic or international peace and security or hinder the holding of elections on 24 December 2021.

The UNSMIL was referring to a statement issued by First Deputy Prime Minister Hussein al-Qatrani, ministers, officials, and mayors of municipalities in Benghazi.

"The Mission takes note of the issues set out in the statement and calls on the Government of National Unity to address them without delay."

 To resolve the arising concerns, it called for direct and constructive dialogue and adhering to the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF)’s Roadmap.

The mission served notice that concerned parties in Libya need to respect the elections timeline to realize the aspiration of the Libyan people to elect their representatives democratically, warning that the current status quo is not only unsustainable, but leads to instability and division.