Al-Za’tari condemns Benghazi power plant assault

UNSMIL

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Libya, Mr. Ali Al-Za’tari, strongly condemns the recent attacks on a power plant in the city of Benghazi.

Al-Za’tari expresses serious concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country and highlighted that these ignoble attacks put additional pressure on the already strained service delivery mechanisms as they further deteriorate the living conditions of people affected by the conflict and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Al-Za’tari said: “I am deeply shocked by these actions that directly affect the life of civilians. Attacks against civilian objects and service delivery institutions are attacks against the ordinary people and prohibited under international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes. The citizens of Benghazi are now without electricity for more than four hours a day. The repercussions of these power failures on hospitals, community services and households are severe and expose the local population to further distress and deprivation.”

The Humanitarian Coordinator calls on all parties to ensure the safety and the security of service delivery institutions to meet the basic need of all Libyans.