UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday voiced his deep concerns about "the deteriorating humanitarian situation" in Libya and and called for efforts "to ensure full access for humanitarian aid" in the North African country.
A statement, issued here by Ban's spokesman late on Wednesday, said, "The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation facing civilians in Libyan cities under military attack, including Misrata, Brega and Zintan."
"Conditions in Misrata are especially grave, with reports of the use of heavy weapons to attack the city, where the population is trapped and unable, as a result of heavy shelling that has continued over several weeks, to receive basic supplies, including clean water, food, and medicines," the statement said.
"The secretary-general reiterates his urgent call for an immediate cessation of the indiscriminate use of military force against the civilian population and to ensure full access for humanitarian assistance," the statement said.
"He also calls, once again, on the government of Libya to abide by Security Council Resolution 1973, which demands the immediate establishment of a cease-fire and the complete end to violence and armed attacks against civilians," the statement said.
"The secretary-general reminds all concerned parties that those responsible for such abuses can, and will, be held accountable for their actions," the statement added.
Earlier on Wednesday, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said, "The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that there remains a dire need for further access and humanitarian action in conflict-affected areas in northwestern Libya, and particularly in Misrata."
Fighting in Libya between the government of Muammar Gaddafi and a rebel faction with assistance from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is continuing, causing difficult conditions in the North African country.
"While access to information is limited, the humanitarian community is extremely concerned about the protection of civilians, including from gender-based violence, landmines and human rights violations," Nesirky said.
The western Libyan city of Misrata has experienced fighting for more than 40 straight days, leaving hundreds dead and wounded and thousands stranded.