UNSMIL expresses its concern over the continued kidnappings, arbitrary detentions and disappearances

July 14 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has expressed this Thursday its concern about the “continuous kidnappings, arbitrary detentions and disappearances” of both Libyan citizens and public figures, such as the case of the missing former Finance Minister Faraj Abderrahmane Boumtari.

As reported by UNSMIL in a statement, Boumtari was detained at the Mitiga airport and later transferred to an “unknown” location.

“These acts create a climate of fear, promote tensions between communities and tribes, and have serious implications for the unification of national institutions. In addition, this conduct does not favor the holding of transparent and inclusive elections or allow for national reconciliation,” reads the release.

The UN mission has urged the Libyan authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained and to open investigations into them, in addition to calling for respect for Human Rights and the rule of law.

On the other hand, the mission has expressed its concern over reports of the closure of some oil fields in response to the arrest of the former minister, something that “will cost the Libyan people their main source of income.”

“The closure must end immediately. Libyan oil and other natural resources should not be used as a tool to negotiate internal disputes,” UNSMIL said.

The country is divided into two administrations after the House of Representatives ended the mandate of the prime minister of unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibé, for the postponement of the presidential elections in December 2021 and appointed Fazi Bashaga to the position, recently suspended from office and replaced by now Finance Minister Osama Hamad.

Dbeibé was elected as prime minister by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in February 2021, replacing the until then prime minister of unity, Fayez Serraj, who agreed to cede his powers after the consultation process, which began after a ceasefire agreement after the Tripoli authorities rejected the military offensive launched in April 2019 by General Khalifa Haftar, aligned with the authorities based in the east.