UNSMIL expresses concern over kidnappings of citizens and public figures in Libya.

Tripoli, July 13, 2023 (Lana) - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has expressed its deep concern over the continuation of kidnappings, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of citizens and public figures by various security agencies in Libya.

The mission said in a statement it posted on its Facebook page, Thursday, that reports were received on July 12 that the former Finance Minister, Faraj Boumtari, had been arrested at Amitiqa Airport and taken to an unknown location.

Reports indicate that five members of the High Council of State have been prevented from traveling at the same airport.

The mission added that such actions would create a climate of fear and increase tensions between local communities and tribes.

It also has serious implications for the consolidation of national institutions. Moreover, the continuation of these behaviors cannot help advance the conduct of transparent and inclusive elections and the achievement of national reconciliation, UNSMIL said.

In its statement, UNSMIL called on the Libyan authorities and security to release all arbitrarily detained persons, ensure independent investigations into all allegations of extrajudicial detentions and kidnappings, and bring the perpetrators to justice, calling on the relevant authorities and all actors to respect human rights and the rule of law.

It also expressed its grave concern at reports of the closure of some oil fields in response to the kidnapping of Boumtari, stressing that this would affect the main source of income for the Libyan people, and demanded an immediate end to the closure, and to stop using Libyan oil and other natural resources as a bargaining tool in Any form of internal conflict.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya also called on all political, security and social leaders to refrain from any form of escalation, including the use of incitement rhetoric.

  The mission urged everyone to remain calm and restraint, and to avoid any unilateral measures, saying that Libya could not tolerate further division or deterioration in the situation.

=Lana=