UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon was "deeply concerned" Tuesday over the recent escalating violence in Libya, calling on all parties to "end these attacks and prevent further escalation."

The violence included he air strikes in Tripoli and the Nafousa Mountains in the west, as well as in Benghazi and its environs in the east, said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

Ban reminded all parties of their moral and legal obligations to protect civilians and abide by international human rights and humanitarian law.

"The secretary-general is also deeply concerned by the violation of the United Nations premises in Tripoli that took place on 24 November," the statement said. "Such actions and incitement cannot be tolerated and must cease immediately."

The UN chief was convinced that the only way to resolve the current crisis is through dialogue. He has full confidence in his special representative, Bernardino Leon, and in his efforts to facilitate dialogue among Libyans to address the challenges facing the country and to bring about a return to an inclusive political process.

Ban called on all Libyans to recommit themselves to the goals of the revolution and take the brave decisions necessary to spare their country and people further strife and suffering, in particular by talking to one another in an environment of mutual respect and inclusiveness, the statement added.

A Libyan air force jet on Monday reportedly carried out two attacks on Maitiga air base in Tripoli, the last functioning airport in the Libyan capital. The strikes hit an area near the runway without damaging it, but caused some damage to civilian homes nearby.

Tripoli has been taken over by militias who have set up an alternative government to the elected parliament based in the coastal town of Tobruk in eastern Libya.

Armed civilians fought alongside Khalifa Hafter, the general leading a nationwide anti-Islamist campaign, in the new offensive to retake Benghazi, which fell last July in the hands of Islamist militias, including the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia. Haftar, who played a major role in toppling Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been waging a war on Benghazi's Islamist armed groups since May. He said his Operation Dignity were constantly pounding the Islamist armed groups like Shura Council and Ansar al-Sharia.

But Haftar's secular-leaning forces recently met several major setbacks and have lost most of their bases in Benghazi since August.

Libya has witnessed a drastic escalation of violence after the 2011 turmoil which toppled Gaddafi. The Islamist militants and pro- secular militia have been vying for cities and towns for months. Fighting still flares near Tripoli, Benghazi and Gharyan.