Abuses of human rights with impunity continues in Libya -- Leon

NEW YORK, Aug 26 (KUNA) -- Widespread violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law continue with impunity across Libya, head of Libya mission said.
Special Representative to the Secretary General of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Bernardino Leon told the Security Council Wednesday via videoconference from Paris, that the armed groups from all sides continue to abduct civilians, and that not even humanitarian aid workers have been spared.
During his briefing, Leon expressed that the gander posed by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to Libya and the Libyans is "real, imminent and palpable." The strategy to contain the terrorist group is viable through unified effort that brings Libyans together and an inclusive government that represents all Libyans, he added.
He expressed his confident that the political dialogue process is finally drawing to its final stages, and that overcoming the political polarization and divisiveness in the country will be no easy task. "The magnitude of the challenges should not be underestimated, nor of the resources required to pull Libya back from the brink of economic meltdown and total collapse of State institutions," he said.
Nevertheless, Leon appealed to House of Representatives and the General National Congress not to squander the hard work they invested over the past 7-months, and the unique opportunity to be peacemakers. (end) mao.ibi