UN urges probe after 'excessive use of force' at Tripoli protest

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has urged the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) to conduct an “immediate and thorough investigation” after security forces used excessive force against demonstrators in Tripoli.
Hundreds gathered in the capital on Sunday evening to protest against deteriorating living conditions, poor basic services and corruption in the war-torn country, before security personnel fired into the air to disperse them, according to reports citing witnesses.
“UNSMIL calls for an immediate and thorough investigation into the excessive use of force by pro-GNA security personnel in Tripoli yesterday which resulted in the injury of a number of protesters,” the UN mission said in a statement on Monday, without specifying how many people were wounded.
Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed men in military attire aiming their guns towards protesters in one of the capital’s streets.
Ayman al-Wafi, a young man in his 20s who attended the protest, told AFP news agency that demonstrators had left Martyrs’ Square after “security forces started firing in the air”.