Deploring attack against military, UN urges Libyans to rally around national institutions

The United Nations mission in Libya has strongly condemned the terrorist bombing in Benghazi on Monday that targeted members of the military, and called on the country’s citizens to rally around their national institutions.

In a statement issued today, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on Libyans of all affiliations to denounce and reject the continued series of acts of violence and terror such as kidnappings, assassinations and bombings that have buffeted Benghazi and other parts of the country.

“The Mission urges Libyans to rally around their national institutions in confronting these crimes and calls upon officials and all forces to intensify efforts to put an end to all what puts the security of the citizens at risk and hampers the building of the State,” the statement added.

According to media reports, at least eight people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in Monday’s attack, which reportedly targeted a graduation ceremony at a military academy.

Libya, which has been undergoing a democratic transition since the toppling of the regime of former leader Muammar al-Qadhafi three years ago, has been grappling with a deteriorating security situation.

Last week the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNSMIL, Tarek Mitri, told the Security Council that the previous three months have witnessed a “dramatic” increase in violence across the country. This includes a campaign of targeted assassinations, bombings and abductions in Benghazi that has reached “intolerable” levels, he stated.