UN holds talks in Libya to end fighting

TRIPOLI (Xinhua) - A U.N. delegation started talks with rival parties in Tripoli in an attempt to put an end to the fierce fighting in Libya's capital and the eastern city of Benghazi, official Libyan news agency reported Friday.

The delegation, led by the deputy head of the United Nations mission in Libya, known as UNSMIL, aims at ending the violence in the oil-rich country by consultations with the Libyan parties.

"UNSMIL is working closely with the international community in a joint effort to achieve a durable and sustainable ceasefire," Libyan news agency referred to a UNSMIL statement.

According to the report, the discussions also aim at assessing the humanitarian needs and discussing the options that can be made in order to help civilians.

For weeks, Libya's capital Tripoli has been witnessing escalating violence between rival militias fighting around the city's international airport in an attempt to take control of the air hub. Meanwhile, General Khalifa Haftar continues his operation "Libyan Dignity" against Islamist militants in the eastern city of Benghazi, where warplanes are used to attack militants' strongholds.

According to the ministry of health, the fighting killed over 200 people and injured almost 1,000. It also displaced thousands of Libyans inside and outside of the country.