UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Ghassan Salame, on Wednesday warned that "the spectre of violence" remains in Libya.

"Military forces are flexing their muscles in many parts of the country," Salame told the Security Council.

Close to the border with Tunisia, clashes occurred between forces affiliated with two rival communities. The area at the eastern vicinity of Tripoli remains a flash point, with groups repeatedly mobilizing forces there. Tension has also heightened around the city of Derna, he said via a video link from Tunis.

Civilians continue to be killed or injured in crossfire and indiscriminate attacks. Armed groups fight recklessly in residential areas, with no thought to the safety of civilians, he said.

Salame said that the fragile and shaky status quo is not sustainable and that Libya needs a competent and efficient government that can deliver the public services people desperately need.

The political crisis has been accompanied by a humanitarian crisis, including the dire situation many migrants continue to face, he said, stressing that only a strong effective government can turn the tide and put an end to the suffering.