TRIPOLI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday expressed concern over the recent arbitrary arrest and detention of a journalist in Tripoli, the capital of Libya.
Ahmed Sanussi, who had been reporting on allegations of Libyan government corruption, was arrested by security forces on Thursday, according to local media.
"Stifling journalists' reporting fosters a climate of fear and undermines the environment needed for Libya's democratic transition," UNSMIL said in a statement on social media platform X.
It stressed that "a thriving civic space, where Libyans can engage in open and safe debate and dialogue exercising their right to freedom of expression, is essential," calling for the immediate release of Sanussi and the protection of journalists and media workers.
In a statement issued earlier this week, UNSMIL said it had documented cases of at least 60 individuals currently detained across Libya for their actual or perceived political affiliation.
It warned that the actual number of those detained for peacefully expressing their political views may be much higher.
Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been suffering escalating violence, insecurity, and political instability.
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