The U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned today the arrest of former finance minister Faraj Boumtari as well as the travel ban imposed against five members of the High Council of State.
“The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is deeply disturbed by the continued abductions, arbitrary arrests, and disappearances of citizens and public figures by various security actors in Libya,” UNSMIL said in a statement.
“On July 12, former Finance Minister Faraj Boumtari was reportedly detained at Mitiga Airport and taken to an undisclosed location. Today, reports indicate that five members of the High Council of State have been reportedly banned from travelling at the same airport,” added the UN mission.
“These acts create a climate of fear, promote tensions between communities and tribes, and have serious implications for the unification of national institutions. Moreover, this conduct is not conducive to the holding of transparent and inclusive elections nor national reconciliation.”
The UN urged Libyan authorities and security entities to “release all those arbitrarily detained, ensure independent investigations for all alleged extra-legal detentions and abductions and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The UN also stated it’s “disturbed by reports of the shutdown of some oil fields in response to the abduction of Mr. Boumtari. This would needlessly cost the Libyan people their main source of income.”
“The shutdown must be immediately ended. Libya’s oil and other natural resources should not be used as a bargaining tool in any form of internal dispute.”
Statement by the United Nations Support Mission in Libyahttps://t.co/s7VOqWebss
— UNSMIL (@UNSMILibya) July 13, 2023