US, North African countries call for ceasefire in Libya

The US and representatives of North African countries have expressed "deep concern" over the security challenges in Libya following a summit on Wednesday.

On the final day of the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC, the officials called on all parties in Libya to adopt an immediate ceasefire and to undertake negotiations to address the country’s security and stability needs, according to a statement from the US State Department on Wednesday.

“We call upon all Libyans to reject terrorism and violence and to replace it with political dialogue to end the instability that is spreading across the country,” the joint statement said.

The group also called for Libya’s newly elected Council of Representatives to adopt “inclusive policies that benefit all Libyans and to build a government that meets the Libyan people’s needs for security, reconciliation, and prosperity.”

Since 2011, when the UN-NATO joint operation toppled the 42-year dictator Muammar Gaddafi regime's, the country has been plagued by heavy fighting between a loosely organised army and militias that clung to their weapons acquired during the uprising.

The capital Tripoli has been the scene of fierce clashes between warring militias over control of several vital facilities in the city.

Benghazi, the country's second largest city, has also turned into a battlefield between troops loyal to renegade general Khalifa Haftar and Islamist Ansar Al-Sharia militia.

The militant infighting in Libya which began in mid-July has left 214 dead and 981 injured.

On Wednesday, the British Royal Navy ship the HMS Enterprise evacuated 93 people from Libya to Malta, its second such mission this week, British officials said.

Britain has temporarily suspended its embassy operations in the country, the Foreign Office said.