United Nations, September 26 (RHC)-- A number of countries have called on Libyan leaders to find a peaceful solution to the political and military turmoil that has gripped the country since the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

During a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the 69th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, 40 countries as well as the African Union, European Union and Arab League warned Libyan leaders over the “dangerous and significant threat” of the crisis plaguing the North African country.

A statement by the chairman of the meeting, which was convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said: "The political transition process is facing its biggest challenge since the revolution. We must do our utmost to reverse this course and help the Libyan people safeguard their democratic transition.”

The government and the parliament are largely considered to be in a virtual exile in the eastern city of Tobruk due to widespread insecurity. A militant group from the city of Misrata captured the capital Tripoli in August and forced the elected parliament to move to the east of the country.

Libya has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militant groups that refuse to lay down arms. The armed militant groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources.