U.S. condemns recent military escalation in Libya's Tripoli

The U.S. embassy to Libya on Sunday condemned the recent military escalation in the capital Tripoli, which is witnessing a deadly armed conflict between the eastern-based army and the UN-backed government.

"The U.S. embassy strongly condemns the military escalation in Tripoli in recent days, including the Jan. 4 attack by LNA-affiliated forces against the Hadaba military college that reportedly killed at least 30 students training to be a professional security force for the Libyan capital," the embassy said in a statement.

"We also condemn attacks in recent days against Tripoli's Matiga Airport and indiscriminate shelling against civilian infrastructure and residential neighborhoods of Tripoli, which killed and injured many civilians," the statement said.

The statement urged the Libyan parties to end foreign interference in the country, expressing willingness to support Libyan efforts to end the violence, curtail the interference of foreign forces, and re-establish a UN-facilitated political dialogue.

The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign in and around Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.

Thousands have been killed and injured in the fighting, and more than 120,000 civilians were displaced away from their homes.

Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political instability ever since 2011.

(CGTN)