TRIPOLI, Libya, July 15 (UPI) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya announced Monday that due to the deteriorating security situation in Libya, it was evacuating its staff.
"The reasons behind this are purely due to concerns for the safety and security of the staff," the Mission said in a statement released Monday.
UNSMIL emphasized that the action was temporary and followed a gradual draw-down the previous week.
#UNSMIL temporarily withdrawing staff from #Libya because of security situation. Staff will return as soon as security conditions permit
— UNSMIL (@UNSMILibya) July 14, 2014"After the latest fighting on Sunday and because of the closure of Tripoli International Airport, the Mission concluded that it would not be possible to continue its work in delivering advice and technical support while at the same time ensuring the security and safety of its staff as well as their freedom of movement."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commented on the security situation in Libya, saying Monday that he was "extremely concerned by the dramatic increase in violence in Tripoli and the toll that recent fighting is having on the civilian population," adding that "such actions undermine the sacrifices that so many Libyans made during the revolution in order to create a State based on the rule of law."
UNSMIL wrote that the evacuation decision would be amended "as soon as security conditions permit," and reiterated that the UN's commitment to Libya remains steadfast.
"The United Nations, which stood by the Libyan people in their revolution in 2011, will not abandon them as they seek to build a democratic state. The United Nations looks forward to continuing to work with its Libyan partners and hopes to return to Tripoli as soon as possible."
