The UN's envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, has denied accusations by Libyan National Army (LNA) chief Khalifa Haftar of being biased.
“I am absolutely impartial,” Salame told FRANCE 24 in an interview aired on Tuesday night.
He reiterated a warning that Libya might descend into an all-out civil war leading to the country’s partition if the conflict is not resolved.
Salame stressed the necessity of keeping Libya united and defending its territorial integrity. “When you alert the Security Council of partition it doesn’t mean you want partition.”
He said he invited Haftar to read the whole text of a briefing that the envoy made to the Security Council after the LNA leader accused him of bias.
“Haftar didn’t say that he doesn’t want me as a mediator,” Salame told his interviewer.
He said the LNA should differentiate between someone alerting of partition and calling for partition.
Salame said that he was “surprised” by the offensive launched by Haftar on the Libyan capital Tripoli.
He was also “saddened” that the attack took place during a visit made by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Libya.
Salame also condemned the widespread violation of the arms embargo, which he said is taking place by “all parties.”
