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UN Envoy Stresses Need to Heed Calls for Democracy in Libya

The Secretary-General's special envoy for Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, has had talks in the country's capital, Tripoli, with both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, stressing the need for a political solution to the ongoing conflict to spare the people of further suffering.

Mr. Khatib, who visited Tripoli yesterday, emphasized that a settlement must address the legitimate demands and aspirations of the people of Libya for a democratic future.

"The Special Envoy raised ideas with respect to the management of a transition in Libya. [He] also listened to the views of the Government of Libya regarding the impact of sanctions and NATO operations." -Mr. Khatib's office

He will travel to New York over the weekend to brief the Secretary-General and the United Nations Security Council on Monday on his efforts to find a solution to the Libya crisis.

Libya has been engulfed by fighting since a pro-democracy movement opposed to the regime of Muammar al-Qadhafi emerged in February following similar protests in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries across North Africa and the Middle East.

Source: United Nations