The United Nations called on Sunday for a week-long humanitarian truce in Libya where the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar has been waging an offensive to take control of Tripoli for four weeks.
In a statement the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) urged the warring sides to implement a truce starting Monday morning at 0400 local time to coincide with the beginning of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Reuters reported.
"UNSMIL calls on all parties to deliver humanitarian aid to those in need and to ensure the freedom of movement for civilians during this truce," the agency quoted UNSMIL as saying in a statement.
There was no immediate comment from Haftar's LNA nor from the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in the capital, Reuters said.
Artillery shelling could be heard on Sunday coming from southern outskirts where the LNA has been tying to breach defenses by Tripoli forces.
Meanwhile, dozens of Libyan lawmakers supporting the GNA of Fayez al-Sarraj in Tripoli on Sunday elected a "provisional speaker."
They elected Sadeq al-Keheli as speaker to replace Aguila Saleh for a period of 45 days in the hope that other legislators would join their side.
In other news in the country, the head of Sebha municipality, Hamed al-Khaiyali, blamed Sarraj’s government for the deadly attack on an LNA training camp in the southern city.
“The GNA is backing terrorism and criminals,” Khaiyali told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“The criminals who attacked the camp beheaded an 18-year-old and burned his father’s body, while the rest were slaughtered,” he said.
