UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday condemned extrajudicial killings that have been on a rise over the past few weeks in Libyan capital Tripoli.

"UNSMIL continues to receive reports of armed groups carrying out extrajudicial killings in Tripoli," and affirms that allegations of offenses and personal disputes "should be judged in a court of law, not by gunmen on the streets," the mission said in a statement.

The mission called on Libyan authorities to take effective measures immediately to "protect all persons from targeted killings, send a strong message that these acts are completely unacceptable and back these messages with objective investigations to identify and hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable."

"Extrajudicial executions are not only acts of extreme cruelty, violating the laws of this country; they also violate International Human Rights and Humanitarian Laws. Those responsible for committing or ordering extrajudicial killings are criminally liable under international law," said the statement.

Libya has suffered political division and unrest following the uprising of 2011 that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.