TRIPOLI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Friday condemned the insecurity in southern Libya.

"UNSMIL deplores the deterioration of the security situation in Libya's south and calls on the Libyan authorities to take prompt and effective action against the lawlessness engulfing the region," the mission said in a statement.

The mission called on regional actors to "support the national authorities in addressing the situation in a manner respectful of Libya's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The mission also expressed concern about the increase of crimes, kidnappings, and vandalism on government water supply infrastructure.

Libya's UN-backed government on Wednesday called for unity against "foreign mercenary gangs" in southern Libya.

According to local media, clashes took place on Sunday and Monday near the southern town of Um Al-Araneb, some 950 km south of the capital Tripoli, between local security and Chadian opposition militants, killing four security personnel.

Following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya has been suffering escalating violence and chaos, as well as political division.