TRIPOLI, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord on Tuesday condemned the airstrikes by unidentified warplanes in eastern city Derna, calling it "war crime."
"The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord condemns in the strongest terms the airstrikes on the city of Derna, which killed and injured a number of innocent civilians, including women and children," the government said in a statement.
The government said that UN Security Council has called for an investigation into the incident."
"In this regard, we demand urgent lift of the unjust siege on the city, allow humanitarian assistance into the city, and allow injured people to leave for medical treatment," the statement said.
UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Tuesday condemned the airstrike, calling for "immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access and lifting restrictions on movement, especially for those needing medical treatment."
"UNSMIL reiterates that direct or indiscriminate attacks against civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and reminds all parties of their obligations to protect civilians," the mission said in a statement
A local source told Xinhua that unidentified aircraft on Monday carried out airstrikes on militant sites in the eastern city of Derna, killing and injuring dozens of people, including civilians.
The Libyan Air Force has not claimed responsibility for the strikes so far.
Since mid-2015, Libyan eastern-based army forces led by General Khalifa Haftar have been imposing a land and sea blockade on the city of Derna. Residents are not allowed to enter or leave, except in humanitarian and medical cases.
The coastal city of Derna, located some 250 km northwest of Benghazi, is the only city in eastern Libya outside the control of the Libyan armed forces.
