The UN mission in Tripoli (UNSMIL) and UN rights office warned on Friday of disastrous consequences for civilians caught in ongoing clashes in the North African nation, appealing to all parties to prioritize the protection of residents.

“Dozens of civilians were reportedly abducted in Tripoli and Benghazi solely for their actual or suspected tribal, family or religious affiliation, and have remained missing since the time of their abduction,” the two UN agencies said in a report.

The organizations also encouraged warring factions to stop all armed hostilities and engage in a political dialogue to find a lasting solution to the long-standing conflict.

“All armed groups must desist from violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, in particular all acts that may amount to war crimes, including indiscriminate shelling, enforced disappearances, murder, abductions, torture and other ill-treatment, and destruction of property,” the report said.

This comes days after the outgoing government admitted that it has lost control of the capital, Tripoli, to armed militias.

Libya’s government and elected House of Representatives have been relocated to the remote eastern city of Tobruk after a separate armed group seized the capital and most government institutions last month.

The new Tripoli rulers have set up a rival parliament and government not recognized by the international community.

Since former dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow, Libya’s rulers have struggled to reestablish security, and the country has been paralyzed by political infighting and the proliferation of militias and weapons.

SHI/SHI