By Moataz Wanees and Ahmed Asmar
TRIPOLI, Libya/ The UN and the Libyan Presidential Council announced late Sunday the formation of a "truce committee" to restore calm following recent armed clashes in Tripoli.
In a statement, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) stated that it and the Presidential Council "have established a truce committee building on the fragile peace reached this week."
UNSMIL said the committee held its first meeting on Sunday and "is focused on facilitating a permanent ceasefire with emphasis on the protection of all civilians, and to agree on security arrangements for Tripoli."
It added that the committee, headed by Libyan army chief, Gen. Mohammed Al-Haddad, "demonstrates a commitment from all sides to avoid further escalation and ensure all parties abide by their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law."
UNSMIL also welcomed "the ongoing efforts of all parties involved in negotiating and upholding the truce, including political, military, and social actors."
Clashes broke out in the early hours of May 14 between the Rada, one of the capital's most powerful militia groups, and government forces, with smoke rising from buildings throughout Tripoli.
Later that day, the Defense Ministry announced that a ceasefire had been declared in all conflict zones in Tripoli to protect civilians.
Mohammed Abdel Wahab, a Health Affairs official at the Tripoli Municipality, announced that six people were killed and 70 injured in the clashes.