Libya reaches agreement for 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire

Government forces and Islamist rebels controlling Benghazi have agreed to a 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire.

The United Nations said yesterday (November 19) that government forces and Islamist rebels controlling the country's second largest city, Benghazi, have just agreed to a 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire.

The UN-brokered ceasefire is the first in Benghazi in a month, as government forces launched a major offensive to retake control of the eastern city from Islamist militias.

12-hour humanitarian ceasefire to allow evacuation of civilians trapped in fighting

This agreement comes into effect from 7:00 a.m. on November 19 (local time) and can be extended depending on the agreement of the parties.

The UN mission in Libya said the humanitarian truce was aimed at facilitating the evacuation of civilians, recovery of bodies and the replenishment of food and medical supplies. In a statement, the UN mission called on all parties to fully comply with their commitments during the ceasefire.

More than 350 people have been killed since government-backed forces launched an offensive to repel Islamist militias who took control of most of Benghazi in July./.

According to VNA