France, Britain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Italy on Tuesday called for an immediate end of hostilities in Libya. The six countries voiced "deep concern" over the violence around the capital Tripoli and warned of attempts by "terrorist groups" to take advantage of the political void in Libya. 

The six powers "call for an immediate de-escalation and halt to the current fighting, and urge the prompt return to the UN-mediated political process," a joint statement said. 

Read more: What is Turkey doing in Libya?

The countries warned that the fighting "has fueled a growing humanitarian emergency," aggravating a migrant crisis, and voiced fear that extremists would thrive in the security vacuum.

A humanitarian catastrophe

Libya has been in the midst of a violent power struggle over the past several years. The overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 plunged the country into chaos, with rival militias battling for power.

Governance over the oil-rich nation has shifted between power centers in the west and the east.

Read more: Libya's refugees caught in the crossfire of war

But Tripoli has been the site of intense fighting since April, when General Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA), which controls much of eastern and southern Libya, began their offensive on the capital, which is controlled by the internationally backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

Since then, over 1,000 people have been killed in and around Tripoli, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 100,000 people have fled the area.

The deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country has led to an increase in the number of people fleeing the conflict-ridden country for Europe.  Furthermore, Libya has become a major conduit for African migrants and refugees fleeing to Europe.

sri/bw (AFP, Reuters)

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