United Nations humanitarian chief calls for protection of civilians in Libya

(New York: 9 March 2011): Valerie Amos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, today called on all parties to the conflict in Libya to protect civilians following reportedly heavy fighting and bombardments in western Libya that have resulted in an unknown number of injuries and deaths.

"All parties to the conflict in Libya must take care to ensure that civilians are protected from harm," she said. "I am deeply concerned about the reportedly indiscriminate nature of the fighting, and particularly the use of heavy artillery and aerial bombardments. We are also hearing reports of hospital closures at the very time when people most need medical care."

The United Nations is in dialogue with the Government of Libya on a humanitarian mission that the Foreign Minister of Libya agreed to on 6 March 2011. It is imperative that all parties to the conflict facilitate timely and unimpeded access to affected people and assure the security of aid workers.

For further information, please call: OCHA NY: Amanda Pitt, +1917 442 1810, pitta@un.org; Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org

OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs,+41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org;

OCHA Cairo: Jens Laerke, +20 2 2751 5016-17, mobile +20 19 5558662, laerke@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.