UN calls for international aid to help Libya's rebel government

[News_Editor]

UN calls for international aid to help Libya's rebel government

2011-08-27 18:28:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) has called on major regional organizations to help Libya's new transitional government to deliver immediate emergency aid and provide a democratic transition.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN Security Council has voiced its full support to rapidly deploy a UN mission in Libya, similar to missions in other troubled countries. Such a mission would have to be approved by the Council.

On Thursday, the Council decided to release $1.5 billion in Gaddafi regime assets to the Libyan rebel government known as the National Transitional Council (NTC). The assets were previously frozen under UN sanctions.

Along with Special Adviser for Post-Conflict Planning Ian Martin and Special Envoy for Libya Abdel-Elah Al-Khatib, Ban has met with international leaders and National Transitional Council leaders in Doha, Qatar.

As Gaddafi opponents have taken control of much of the country, including most of Tripoli, the capital, consultations with international leaders agreed that the an 'essential, pivotal role' is likely expected to be taken by the UN.

"In addition to immediate humanitarian assistance, particularly as it relates to medical help, they placed special emphasis on early support for elections, transitional justice and policing, as well as longer-term assistance in socio-economic recovery, rule of law and institution-building," Ban stated.

Libya continues to face enormous challenges despite the growing recognition that the country's crisis has entered a final and decisive phase. Fighting continues in many parts of the country, including in Tripoli, Sirte and Sabha.

"Lives continue to be lost," Ban noted. "The destruction of property and livelihoods has been tragically heavy."

The UN Secretary-General also noted that there are widespread shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies, particularly in the Nafusa Mountains and Tripoli. In addition, reports on the ground suggest that the water supply to the capital and surrounding region may be in danger, putting approximately three million people, or more, at risk.

"At this moment of great transition, we must come together with an effective, well-coordinated program of international action," Ban told the heads of the African Union (AU), Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union in a video conference from UN Headquarters in New York.

"All of us now must work together and respond rapidly to requests from the Libyan transitional authorities for assistance," he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told the AU Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that the UN sees the AU as a key partner in helping Libya to rebuild. "When the United Nations and the African Union work together, we succeed," she said.

"Together, we must encourage the new leadership to undertake every effort to protect civilians and public institutions, to maintain law and order, and to promote national reconciliation and unity," Migiro added, calling for the establishment of a government that can deliver on its people's hopes.

Libya has been engulfed in a civil war since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's regime began in mid-February. It is uncertain how many people have been killed, but some estimates put the death toll as high as 20,000.

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