Libya – Airstrikes on the town of Murzuq (4 August 2019)

On August 4, the town of Murzuq was hit by a series of airstrikes that killed dozens of people, including civilians. France reminds all Libyan stakeholders and institutions that they are obligated to protect civilian populations and infrastructures under international humanitarian law. France expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and those injured.

This situation underscores the urgent need for an immediate de-escalation and an end to the fighting in Libya. France, along with the entire Security Council, supports the call by the UN Secretary-General’s special representative, Ghassan Salamé, for a truce for Eid al-Adha, accompanied by trust-building measures – a call he issued during his July 29th speech before the Security Council, and which that body endorsed yesterday. Such a truce must lead to the swift revival of the political process under the auspices of the UN; it must be based on the principles and rules agreed to at the Paris, Palermo, and Abu Dhabi conferences.