Aid agencies in Libya seek UN resolution to protect people caught up in fighting

A group of aid agencies in Libya on Tuesday called for a United Nations resolution to support people caught in fighting around Tripoli. The UN says 66,000 people have been forced there out of their homes and at least 454 have been killed since April 5.

Forces loyal to Libya’s government are defending Tripoli against an offensive by the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar, who accuses the administration of being controlled by terrorists, a charge it denies.

In the past week, 65 migrants have drowned. Since the Tripoli clashes began, 871 migrants have been picked up and returned to detention in often unacceptable conditions, Reuters said.

A report by the ‘Protection Sector’ group of aid agencies, which is coordinated by UNHCR, said 3,000 migrants remained trapped in detention centers close to areas of fighting.