Libya announces probe after Russian-made rocket hits near UN mission in Janzour

The United Nations’ mission in Libya said a rocket struck near its headquarters in the country’s largely lawless western region while the UN envoy was briefing the Security Council.

No casualties were reported after the rocket was launched late on Thursday in the vicinity of the mission’s compound in the Mediterranean city of Janzour, 12 kilometres west of the capital, Tripoli, the UN mission said in a statement.

The compound was not impacted, the UN said.

The Interior Ministry of the Tripoli-based government said it foiled an attempt to target the UN mission's headquarters with a Russian-made SPG rocket, which hit a civilian house with no casualties.

The ministry is investigating to determine the identity of the rocket operators.

Security forces found a vehicle carrying two other rockets of the same type, as well as the rockets’ launcher, the government said.

The attack occurred as UN envoy Hanna Tetteh was briefing the Security Council on the situation in the North African nation.

She offered a roadmap for Libya that includes establishing a “new unified government, capable of creating a conducive environment for credible elections while managing key governance functions effectively.”

“We are convinced that the political process should focus on guaranteeing general elections and the unification of institutions through a sequenced approach,” she said.

Libya was plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The country has been fragmented for years between rival administrations in the east and west, each backed by armed groups and foreign governments.

The country is currently governed by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbehiba’s internationally-recognised government in Tripoli and the administration of Prime Minister Ossama Hammad in eastern Libya.