UNITED NATIONS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday voiced its "deep concern" over the recent acts of violence in Benghazi, and "stressed the necessity to reject violence in all its forms" in the North African country.
"The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern about the recent acts of violence in Benghazi which claimed lives of many people and called upon all Libyans to rally around their legitimate institutions, both civilian and military," the 15-nation UN body said in a press statement issued here late Thursday.
"The members of the Security Council stressed the necessity to reject violence in all its forms and to resolve disagreements peacefully and through dialogue," added the statement.
The council also "encouraged all Libyans to engage with the political process of reconciliation and constitutional reform through peaceful and inclusive means, underpinned by respect for the rule of law."
The statement came two days after the Security Council heard a briefing on the current situation in Libya from Tarek Mitri, a special representative of the UN secretary-general and the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.
Protesters clashed with pro-government militiamen in Benghazi on June 8, leaving at least 11 killed and dozens wounded.
Since the unrest that toppled former ruler Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan authorities often rely on pro-government militias to maintain security and social order due to the lack of professional military and police forces.
However, many Libyans do not approve such practices and sometimes clash with such militia.
Last Saturday, six soldiers were killed in clashes in Benghazi in the latest bout of unrest as the authorities struggle to control the rebels from the 2011 uprising.
Benghazi, the stronghold of the uprising that ousted Gaddafi's regime in 2011, has been increasingly rattled by clashes between regular troops and militias made up of former rebels who fought Gaddafi's forces.
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