Over 30,000 displaced in Libya after Haftar offensive

Expressing "grave concern" over the violation of International Humanitarian Law in Libya, United Nations said nearly 30,200 people have been displaced so far amid hostilities in the country.

"Violations of International Humanitarian Law remain of grave concern as indiscriminate attacks against civilians and medical facilities and personnel continue. Indiscriminate violence, particularly rocket and mortar attacks have occurred in and around Tripoli increasingly impacting residential areas. 30,200 people have been internally displaced by ongoing hostilities," stated the UN in its situation report on Libya.

Saying urgent food assistance is needed, the UN stated: "Urgent food assistance is needed for some 800 refugees and migrants in the Qasr Bin Ghasheer detention centre and 530 refugees and migrants in the Sabaa detention centre."

More than 200 people have lost their lives and 913 have been wounded ever since clashes erupted in the region as renegade General Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army advanced towards Tripoli.

Yesterday clashes broke out in Tripoli after the Forces loyal to Libya Unity Government on Saturday launched a counterattack against Haftar's fighters.

Libya has been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of its dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The LNA-backed parliament controls the east of Libya, while the UN-backed interim Government of National Accord (GNA) governs Libya's western region from Tripoli.

While the US government has primarily backed the GNA which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, American diplomats and military officers have maintained contacts with Russia backed Haftar.

Most of the international community has urged for a peaceful resolution to the intense fighting which has ensued in the African nation.