UN’ Libya envoy urges for unified response to devastating Derya flood

The United Nations’ Libya envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily, on Monday expressed concern about the “unilateral and competing initiatives” by Libyan institutions aimed at rebuilding Derna, where a devastating flood claimed the lives of thousands of people last month.

“Unilateral efforts are counterproductive, deepen the existing divisions in the country, impede reconstruction efforts and are at odds with the outpouring of solidarity, support and national unity shown by Libyan people,” he said in a statement.

Libya has experienced minimal stability in governance since a NATO-supported uprising in 2011, and it has been divided since 2014 into western and eastern factions with parallel political institutions.

The eastern administration announced on Sunday that it was delaying an international conference it had previously scheduled for the reconstruction of Derna.

The internationally recognized government based in Tripoli in the west has also announced its intention to organize a reconstruction conference.

Analysts have suggested that control over the reconstruction of Derna, potentially involving substantial financing and coordination with foreign powers, could emerge as a significant new battleground for conflict among Libyan factions.

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