TRIPOLI, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Aeneas Chuma, deputy special representative of the UN Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, stressed the need for continued demining and risk education to ensure people's safety, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement on Friday.
Chuma made the remarks during a ceremony held in the capital Tripoli on Wednesday to commemorate the International Day for Mine Action Awareness, the statement said.
Quoting data from the Libyan Mine Action Center (LibMAC), Chuma said that hundreds of millions of square meters in Libya have been identified as hazardous areas, with more expected to be added.
Khalil El-Shibli, LibMAC director, called on the UN and the international community to continue supporting the lifesaving operations led by Libyans and their partners on the ground.
The Chief of Mine Action at UNSMIL, Fatma Zourrig, in her remarks, highlighted the importance of a strategic framework, legislation, and strengthened cooperation between humanitarian organizations and security institutions to advance mine action in Libya.
Following the 2011 uprising that toppled the rule of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been plagued by insecurity and conflict. Prolonged armed clashes have left large areas of the country contaminated with deadly remnants such as mines and other hazardous weapons. ■