Summary: The assassination of four people has renewed security tensions in the city of Zawiya, in western Libya, amid a demand to remove armed formations from the city.
Armed clashes and security tensions continued in the city of Zawiya, west of the capital Tripoli, following the killing of four people on Saturday evening, as their car was targeted by a hail of bullets, prompting the families of the victims to close some streets and set fire to the coastal road in the city.
The National Institution for Human Rights said in a statement, on Saturday evening, that it documented the killing of four people near Al-Zawiya University, after their car was subjected to a barrage of bullets fired by outlaw gunmen, which led to the fire in the entire vehicle.
According to the circulating information, the names of three of the victims have been identified, while the identity of the fourth victim is not yet known, amid the city's residents' demand for the interim government of "national unity" to be evacuated from the armed formations.
Local media monitored scenes of ongoing security tension amid rising popular anger against armed groups, as the families of the dead south of the city blocked roads and lit tires on the coastal road.
The National Foundation called on the Attorney General and the security services to open a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the incident and to intensify search and investigation efforts to apprehend those involved. It also expressed concern about the escalating rates of extrajudicial killings, kidnappings and arbitrary arrests, and attributed this to to "security chaos and the absence of the role of the Ministry of Interior and the security authorities in ensuring the safety of citizens."
A member of the Presidential Council, Musa al-Kuni, met on Sunday with some of the notables and sheikhs of the city of Greater Zawiya. His office reported that the attendees "affirmed their full support for the national positions of Sayyid Musa al-Kuni, aimed at protecting the homeland from divisions and challenges targeting its unity. and preserving its sovereign institutions, "stressing that "any division that prolongs these institutions will have serious repercussions on Libya's unity and stability. "
For his part, Al-Kuni praised the "national spirit" shown by some of the elders and sheikhs of the Great Zawiyah, stressing that "the current stage requires the concerted efforts of all Libyans and standing together in the face of any attempts aimed at deepening the division, and working to unify national positions and bring together the political parties, thus contributing to bringing Libya to safety and achieving the desired stability. "
Located about 42 kilometers west of the capital Tripoli, Zawiya is one of the most prominent cities in the western region, and includes Libya's second largest oil refinery, a commercial port, as well as its strategic location on the communication routes between Tripoli and the Tunisian border, making it a major target Armed groups seeking to control oil resources, smuggling routes and economic influence.
The city is witnessing a frequent conflict between rival armed formations to control areas of influence in the west of the country, including rounds of violence during the past months, which resulted in civilian deaths and the temporary closure of the refinery, amid repeated warnings from the UN mission of the risk of the country sliding towards Further chaos, at a time when local activists are demanding urgent intervention to stop the fighting, which is hindering any progress towards stability or holding elections in Libya.
According to local media, the number of homicide victims in the city has risen to 62 since the beginning of this year, as an indication of the state of insecurity and the spread of weapons outside the authority of the state.
A high-level military meeting was held in Sirte, bringing together leaders from eastern and western Libya, under the auspices of the UN mission to the country.
Libyan politicians and analysts differed on the issue of Pakistani mediation to resolve the country's complex political crisis in parallel with an American initiative and UN efforts.
Original source: aawsat.com
