UN Security Council to meet on Libya capital fighting

The UN Security Council will hold a private meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation in Libya, after rebel militia leader Khalifa Haftar continued his assault on Tripoli.

The UK called for the meeting the Friday meeting so a UN aid official could brief representatives on the impact of the offensive on the capital.

Fighting has displaced 55,000 people and left more than 430 dead, diplomats said on condition of anonymity.

Hafter, whose forces hold the east of the country, launched the offensive on 4 April to seize Tripoli, held by the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

The council has been divided over how to respond to the crisis in Libya with the UK forced to put on hold a draft resolution demanding a ceasefire.

The GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj met the UK's Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in London on Thursday.

May's spokesman said: "The prime minister has joined a meeting between the foreign secretary and the prime minister of Libya in Downing Street."

Haftar was in Cairo on Thursday for a second visit to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Egypt and the UAE have been key backers of Haftar who controls much of eastern Libya and is not attempting to seize the capital Tripoli.