The part of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi's control is wracked by shortages in fuel, food and cash despite a veneer of normalcy, according to a fact-finding mission of the UN.
In a statement issued late yesterday, the United Nations said its weeklong mission to the country had identified lack of fuel, rising food prices, a strained medical system, and a cash crunch as some of the problems besetting Gaddafi's government.
"Although the mission observed aspects of normalcy in Tripoli, members identified pockets of vulnerability where people need urgent humanitarian assistance," Humanitarian Coordinator Laurence Hart said about the UN mission, which concluded Sunday.
A rebellion that erupted against Gaddafi's long time rule in mid-February has descended into a civil war with roughly half the country now outside government hands.
The UN has passed sanctions against Gaddafi's regime that make importing fuel and goods difficult, and at least 30 countries have recognised the rebels as the country's legitimate representatives.
The UN said the country's medical system is under strain not only because of casualties from the fighting with rebels but the departure of thousands of foreign health workers that kept the system running.
Libya's acute fuel crisis is also a major problem, said the statement, with endless gas lines around petrol stations despite a fuel rationing system.
The UN quoted Libyan experts claiming that supplies might run out in two weeks.
Gasoline and other products are currently imported or smuggled through Tunisia and neighbouring Algeria. Libya also has working refineries, but not enough capacity to meet daily demand.
