The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is deeply concerned about the abduction and disappearance of Mr. Rida Fraitis, the Chief of Staff for the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Unidentified armed men abducted Fraitis with his colleague on August 2, following Fraitis’ visit to GNU premises in Tripoli.

“The fate and whereabouts of both Fraitis and his colleague remain unknown and UNSMIL fears for their safety and security.

“The Mission expresses further concern about individuals who have taken on roles in support of Libya’s democratic transition and State institutions being targeted in this manner.

“This has serious implications for the peace and reconciliation process and for the full unification of national institutions,’’ the mission said in a statement on Tuesday.

UNSMIL said that it has documented several cases of illegal arrests and detention, enforced disappearances, as well as torture.

The mission has also recorded cases of extrajudicial killings of citizens, officials, journalists, civil society members, and human rights defenders, in the past year.

“Under international human rights law, no one may be arbitrarily arrested or detained.

“Torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings are strictly prohibited as are abductions and kidnappings,” said Ján Kubiš, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNSMIL.

In July, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council that “positive steps are now needed to avoid backsliding”, with a rising threat that the fragile ceasefire, political progress, and badly-needed economic reform, are going into reverse.

The Mission is now calling on Libyan authorities to fully investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law, and international humanitarian law.

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“Libya must end the entrenched culture of impunity in the country,” Kubis said.

Up until 2021, Libya was split between the former Government of National Accord based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east.

In recent weeks, progress towards new democratic elections in December has stalled, despite wide-ranging and ongoing negotiations continuing.