UN and Libya reach agreement on humanitarian presence

[News_Editor]

UN and Libya reach agreement on humanitarian presence

2011-04-18 22:59:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations on Monday announced that it reached an agreement with Libyan authorities to set up a humanitarian presence in the capital city Tripoli.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the agreement was accorded on Sunday during the visit of UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Abdel Elah al-Khatib.

The UN has already established a humanitarian presence ion the rebel-held city of Benghazi. Last week, Ban said that in the worst scenario, 3.6 million people would require humanitarian assistance.

The UN head also reiterated his call for an immediate end to the armed conflict which has taken a heavy toll on civilians. In recent weeks, approximately half a million people have fled the nation due to the ongoing fighting between government forces and rebels seeking the ouster of President Muammar Al-Qadhafi.

"It is absolutely necessary that Libyan authorities stop fighting, stop killing people. The first priority is to secure an immediate and effective ceasefire," added Ban. "The second priority is to expand the UN's humanitarian assistance to people in need."

The United Nations and its partners appealed recently for $310 million in order to provide vital humanitarian assistance to those affected by the armed conflict. So far, 41 percent of the requested amount has been received.

The armed conflict in Libya against the Qadhafi regime is part of a broader pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East that has led to the downfall of long-standing regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-18