UN chief condemns attacks on hospital in Tripoli

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the heavy shelling, for two consecutive days, of Al Khadra General Hospital in Tripoli, said his spokesman late Tuesday.

Guterres also condemned the continued attacks on medical personnel, hospitals and medical facilities, particularly at a time when they are critical to preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

The secretary-general reminded all parties that medical personnel, hospitals and medical facilities are protected by international humanitarian law and that attacks on them may constitute war crimes, it said.

Guterres reiterated his call for a global cease-fire and a humanitarian pause in Libya in order to save lives and enable the Libyan authorities and their partners to devote all their energies to stopping the spread of COVID-19, said the statement.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)