Tripoli, Aug 31 (IANS/AKI) United Nations special envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame on Friday thanked outgoing humanitarian envoy Maria do Valle Ribeiro for her "tireless work and dedication" during a 30-month stint in the post and welcomed her successor Yacoub El Hillo, the UNSMIL mission said in a statement.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my colleague, Maria de Valle Ribeiro, for her great efforts during her two-and-half-year tenure as a Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya, particularly during critical - and sometimes tragic - circumstances undergone by civilians in Libya," Salame said.

Salame praised her extraordinary and restless efforts to ensure all aspects of humanitarian assistance, especially to the most vulnerable communities, including conflict-affected civilians, people displaced within Libya by the conflict, migrants and refugees.

"I welcome my colleague, Yacoub El Hillo, to the UN family in Libya," Salame said, wishing do Valle Ribeiro "every success" in her new assignment.

"Mr El Hillo brings with him an extensive experience in this field, especially in Syria, Liberia and other countries," Salame stated.

El Hillo's "vast and distinguished experience will play a key role in humanitarian, development and peace efforts in Libya and to alleviate the impact of war and protracted crises on the dear Libyan people," he added.