April 8 (UPI) — The United States urged for an immediate halt to military conflict in Libya on Sunday as insurgent fighters advance on Tripoli.
“We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar’s forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. “Forces should return to status quo ante positions.”
In the statement, Pompeo called on all sides to come together and find a political solution as “there is no military solution to the Libya conflict.”
“This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans,” he said.
The U.N.-backed Libyan government said earlier Sunday 21 people were killed and 27 others were wounded in fighting near the capital as the Libyan National Army, led by Gen. Haftar, 75, advanced eastward with aims of toppling Tripoli, BBC reported.
Government forces have fought insurgences as apart of a conflict that began in 2014 as sides struggle for control over the country since the death of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Pompeo’s call for dialogue comes days after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the battle-worn country and urged for both sides to stay calm.
“I am deeply concerned by the military movement taking place in Libya and the risk of confrontation,” Guterres tweeted. “There is no military solution. Only intra-Libyan dialogue can solve Libyan problems.”
Pompeo echoed the U.N. chief’s words in his statement Sunday: “The United States continues to press Libyan leaders, together with our international partners, to return to political negotiations mediated by U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame. A political solution is the only way to unify the country and provide a plan for security, stability and prosperity for all Libyans.”
