UN hopes Libya's new parliament to help end violence

The UN mission in Libya hopes that the newly-elected parliament can lead efforts to end surging violence and promote political process, a UN spokesperson said Monday.

"The mission hopes that the elected council will lead the efforts to safeguard the security, safety, unity and sovereignty of Libya, and help to create an environment that fosters an inclusive political dialogue," Xinhua quoted Vannina Maestracci, assistant spokesperson for UN chief, as saying at a briefing at the UN headquarters.

Libya's newly-elected parliament held its first session Monday in the eastern city of Tobruk amid fierce fighting in the capital Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi. The new parliament was elected in June and will replace the previous General National Congress.

The move "reflects the people's insistence on building a state based on the rule of law and respect for human rights," said Maestracci.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) also condemned the continuing bloody battles in Tripoli and Benghazi and their devastating effects on the lives of the civilian population and on the environment.

Libya is facing the worst violence after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. For over three weeks, rival militias have been fighting around Tripoli international airport, attempting to take control of the air hub. In Benghazi, the 'Operation Dignity', launched by General Khalifa Haftar against Islamist militant groups, is still going on, where warplanes are involved in attacking the militant strongholds.

The UN mission again called on all sides for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and to reject all attempts to resolve political differences through violence.