
UNITED NATIONS, July 3 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "outraged" by the overnight airstrikes that hit a detention center east of Tripoli, the capital of Libya, his spokesman said on Wednesday.
The UN chief condemned this "horrendous incident," which killed at least at least 44 migrants and refugees, in the strongest terms, said the spokesman Stephane Dujarric, adding that he expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a quick recovery to those injured.
The secretary-general called for an independent investigation of the circumstances of this incident, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, noting that the United Nations had provided exact coordinates of the detention center to the parties, said Dujarric.
According to Dujarric, Guterres reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to take all feasible precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, incidental loss of civilian lives, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects, and to refrain from directing attacks against civilians.
This incident underscores the urgency to provide all refugees and migrants with safe shelter until their asylum claims can be processed or they can be safely repatriated, he added. "The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and a return to political dialogue."
Libya has been suffering from escalating violence and political instability since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses