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UN chief calls on all parties in Libya to exercise extreme caution

12 August 2011 01:35 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday called on all parties in Libya to exercise extreme caution in their actions, according to a statement released here, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"The secretary-general is deeply concerned by reports of the unacceptably large number of civilian casualties as a result of the conflict in Libya," said the statement released by Ban’s spokesperson.

In the statement, Ban "calls on all parties to exercise extreme caution in their actions, in order to minimize any further loss of civilian life."

"He once again reiterates his strongly held belief that there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis," said the statement. "A ceasefire that is linked to a political process which would meet the aspirations of the Libyan people, is the only viable means to achieving peace and security in Libya."

Ban also urged all parties to "immediately engage" with his special envoy to Libya Abdel-Elah Al-Khatib and "respond concretely and positively to the ideas presented to them, in order to end the bloodshed in the country".

Libya has been in a state of crisis since earlier this year, when rebel groups rose up against longtime Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi after protests calling for governmental reform. The UN Security Council stepped in by passing sanctions and a resolution that allows the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya.