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UN deplores car bombs in eastern Libya

Xinhua, February 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations on Friday strongly deplored a string of suicide car bombings that struck the eastern Libyan city of Al-Gubba, which reportedly left dozens dead.

In a statement issued here by his spokesperson, UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of these deplorable acts and to the Libyan people.

"These terrorist acts are an additional reminder that a political solution to the current crisis must be found quickly to restore peace and stability in the country and confront terrorism, " the statement said.

Earlier this morning, the simultaneous blasts targeted a local security building, a gas station, and residence of Akila Saleh Issa, a parliament leader, leaving at least 30 dead and 30 others injured.

In a statement released on Friday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) "totally rejected" the "cowardly acts" and issued condolences to the families of the victims.

"The Mission believes that the best response to counter terrorism and violence is for the Libyans to forge ahead with the search for a political solution to end the conflict and restore stability and unity to the country and the State institutions," the statement said.

Libyan stakeholders have been convening in a series of UN- facilitated meetings aimed at resolving the North African nation's political crisis and bringing about military de-escalation across the country.

Nonetheless, the violence has stirred concerns within Libya and across the international community about the country's deteriorating security situation, particularly following the arrival of militants affiliated with the Islamic State and their brutal execution of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians earlier this week.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after its former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil. The country is now juggling between two rival parliaments and governments. Endite