UN says Libya short of water, fuel, medicine

Tripoli: The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Libya says the country faces critical shortages of drinking water, food, fuel and medicine.

The six-month civil war between rebels and Muammar Gaddafi's forces has disrupted supply lines and damaged infrastructure.

Panos Moumtzis says more than a half dozen UN agencies have returned to Tripoli to address the country's humanitarian needs since fighting in the capital waned last week.

In an interview late Thursday, he said the UN has brought in 11 million bottles of water and will bring in 600 metric tons of food and 100 million euros' worth of medicine.

Panos said, however, that he sees the UN aid as temporary, and that he expects oil-rich Libya to be able fund its own recovery starting in 2012.