Libya's transitional authorities - The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for post-conflict planning in Libya, Ian Martin, is in Tripoli to hold discussions with representatives of the National Transitional Council (NTC) on the form of assistance the council will require.

PANA learnt here that Martin's mission, which started on Saturday, followed the International Conference in Support of the New Libya held in Paris, France, Thursday.

At the conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged the world body's continued assistance to Libya to tackle its humanitarian challenges and build a democratic and stable nation.

Ban also told the gathering in Paris that the immediate challenge is on the humanitarian front, with some 860,000 people having left the country since February, when opposition forces rose up against the regime of Mouammar Kadhafi.

In addition, public services including hospitals and clinics are under severe strain, and there is a major water shortage, as sporadic fighting continues, particularly in the country's south.

The Secretary-General had last Thursday announced Martin's trip to Tripoli to begin laying the ground work for UN operations there.

Pana 04/09/2011