AU Urges Permanent Ceasefire in Libya After Clashes
The latest fighting in the conflict-torn North African country pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based GNU against factions it has sought to dismantle, resulting in at least eight dead, according to the United Nations.
Despite a lack of a formal ceasefire, the clashes mostly ended last week, with the Libya Defense Ministry saying this week that efforts towards a truce were "ongoing".
On Saturday, the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the recent violence, calling for an "unconditional and permanent ceasefire".
In a statement on X, the council urged "inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation", adding that it "appeals for no external interference".
Libya is split between the GNU in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east.
The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government -- the 444 Brigade, which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport.
It came after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade.
Egypt has flown 71 nationals home from Tripoli following the unrest, the foreign ministry said.
Friday's special flight by flag carrier EgyptAir "enabled the repatriation of 71 Egyptian citizens who had expressed a desire to come home", the ministry said.
Türkiye evacuated 82 of its nationals from Tripoli on a similar repatriation flight last week.
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