UN pledges assistance to Libya's Murzuk

Tripoli, Feb 24 (IANS) UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame has pledged to provide support for the southern Libyan city of Murzuk, some 900 km east of the capital Tripoli.Salame made his remarks during a meeting with representatives of Murzuk on Saturday, the UN Mission was quoted as stating by Xinhua news agency."Special representative of the UN secretary general received a delegation from Murzuk in southern Libya. They briefed him on the dire security and humanitarian conditions in their city," the Mission said in a statement."He promised to provide all possible support including protecting civilians, assisting the injured and securing essential medical and food supplies," the statement said.The eastern-based Libyan army has been leading a military campaign in southern Libya since mid-January against crime and terrorism.The army announced taking over Murzuk a few days ago, following clashes with militants of Chadian opposition. The army also launched several airstrikes against the militants in the city recently.The army has made significant progress since the beginning of the military action, and also taken over two major oil fields.
--IANS vin/