The transitional Libyan government ordered all army units located or based in Benghazi, in the east of the country, to ceasefire immediately.

The government also urged Islamist rebels to lay down their weapons, stressing that “the plight of residents of Benghazi has become intolerable and requires immediate and decisive action.”

The government noted that would convene a meeting with all opposing parties and local leaders in Benghazi in order “to achieve a comprehensive agreement to end the fighting (…) and to prevent the recurrence of conflict.”