Libya discovers dozens of mass graves in Tarhuna

The UN-backed government of Libya Fathi Bashagha has said that it discovered dozens of mass graves have been found in the Libyan city of Tarhuna, according to the Interior Minister

The city of Tarhuna is some 90 kilometres south of Libya's capital Tripoli and had been the main military operation centre for the east-based army until the recent takeover by the UN-backed government.

“We discovered many terrible crimes committed by the militias that controlled the city of Tarhuna.

“Our services are now documenting those crimes,’’ Bashagha said in a statement.

“We found a container, inside which were prisoners who have been burnt alive.

“We also found a number of mass graves, where according to our initial reports, dozens of people were buried alive,’’ the statement added.

“Those militias must be held accountable for their hideous crimes and the politicians as well as military leaders, who have provided these militias with cover, must also be brought to justice,’’ the minister said.

There is yet no comment on the matter from the east-based army, which has been retreating in recent weeks in its military campaign against the troops of the UN-backed government.

Also on Wednesday, the UN Mission in Libya said that warring sides in the country have begun to engage in a new round of ceasefire talks, after heavy fighting around the central city of Sirte.

The east-based army has been fighting the UN-backed government troops for more than a year, aiming to take control of Tripoli and topple the UN-backed government.

The fighting has killed and injured hundreds of civilians and displaced more than 150,000 others. (Xinhua/NAN)