Genesis of terror upsurge in Britain
We sympathise with those who lost their near and dear ones in the recent terror attacks in Britain as also in assaults by terrorists elsewhere. At the same time, we need to question the causes of this terror upsurge. At this time, the LIFG was an affiliate of Osama Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda and LIFG leaders had various connections to this terror network. George Bush, in his naiveté, had rationalised that terror attacks were perpetrated because “the bombers hated our values and our democracy.”Tony Blair had used similar oversimplifications following the 7/7 attacks and now Theresa May is talking about “values” and “democracy” and “evil ideology”. Whosoever wins the 8 June 2017 elections and assumes the mantle of the next Prime Minister of Britain, will have to look inwards and do some soul searching for pinpointing the genesis of the terror attacks and devise a cogent plan to tackle terrorism rather than blindly scapegoating Muslims.
Source:Libya Today
June 08, 2017 15:22 UTC
Misrata postpones meetings with the French ambassador
The Municipal Council of Misurata announced that they postponed the visit of French Ambassador Brigitte Curmi and her accompanying delegation that was scheduled to arrive there on Thursday 08 June. The Council posted on their official Facebook page: "Although the Council recognizes the importance of the visit by Mrs. Brigitte Curmi, and her accompanying delegation to the Municipality of Misrata to meet with our institutions and entities, and our pleasure of her acceptance, unfortunately the visit will be postponed until later for security reasons”.
Source:Libya Observer
June 08, 2017 14:15 UTC
Libya’s Largest Oil Field Shuttered By Protests After Oil Worker Dies
A new workers’ protest in Libya has shut down the country’s largest oilfield, creating yet another hurdle for a war-torn country as it struggles to rebuild its oil output. The demonstrators shuttered the 270,000-barrel per day Sharara oilfield on Wednesday, a source at the site told World Oil. The unrest began when one worker died at the field, another source added. Libya’s oil production has been unstable since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 as part of the regional Arab Spring movement. OPEC-member Nigeria and non-OPEC producer United States are both increasing output as well, further flooding global oil markets.
Source:Libya Today
June 07, 2017 19:52 UTC
Awaqir tribe draws the red line for Haftar and his militias
Awaqir tribesmen - one of the components of Cyrenaica region - have lashed out at Khalifa Haftar, describing his self-styled army as militias against the stability of the region and the entire country. In a televised statement, Awaqir tribesmen condemned the arrest of Nuri Bu Fanarah, who is one of the tribe’s senior leaders, by Dignity Operation militias, slamming their leader, Khalifa Haftar, as a continuation of leading militia work in the region. Bu Fannarah was abducted in Sulug town, 53 kilometers to the south-east of Benghazi, by a Dignity Operation armed group after he revealed that Khalifa Haftar was behind the assassination of tribe leader Braik Al-Lwati. "There will be no political solution endorsed by our tribe unless we had been fully and directly represented in it." Relations between Awaqir tribe and Dignity Operation commander, Khalifa Haftar, have deteriorated since the recognition of Defense Minister-designate, Al-Mihdi Al-Baraghati, of the UN-proposed Presidential Council.
Source:Libya Observer
June 07, 2017 11:48 UTC
Libyan eastern forces eye entrance to Tripoli
Now as never before, the eastern forces of Dignity Operation in Libya, led by Khalifa Haftar, have neared their ever-longed-for dream of entering Tripoli, Libya's capital, as events started to take a new twist in central Libya late in May. Haftar's forces, backed by foreign aircraft cover as well as every-now-and-then Egyptian air attacks, managed to take control of Jufra district – in central Libya with all its towns including Hun, Sokna and Waddan – and its significant airbase, which for Haftar and his forces will be the takeoff to Tripoli and western Libya. Haftar vowed more than once to "invade" Tripoli and salvage it from what he described as "Muslim Brotherhood" and Al-Qaeda affiliates. To Haftar, all those who oppose him are terrorists and must be fought with force. Many social media and media outlets affiliated with Dignity Operation started since Friday to advocate for "invading" western Libya, with calls to having the next battle in Bani Walid city and then continue to Misrata and Tripoli.
Source:Libya Observer
June 06, 2017 19:07 UTC
Haftar's forces nab ICRC aids truck en route to Derna
The so-called Omar Al-Mukhtar Brigade of Dignity Operation in eastern Libya confiscated aids laden in a truck for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as it was heading to Derna city. Derna city has been besieged by Dignity Operation for more than a year now, barring basic foods, fuel, cooking gas, cash and medicines to enter the city. According to sources, the ICRC's truck was laden with foods, medicines, furniture and blankets, which were en route to be delivered to the Libyan Red Crescent teams in Derna before Haftar's brigade had seized them. General Command of Dignity Operation announced last month that the siege on Derna had been lifted and all basic needs will be allowed to enter the city, yet the decision remained words and no action up until today. This incident was not the first of its kind as Dignity Operation forces seized before a cargo for the ICRC, then they released 2 trucks out of 8.
Source:Libya Observer
June 06, 2017 11:15 UTC
Unprecedented rift: Arab states cut relations with Qatar
The three Gulf states announced the closure of transport ties with Qatar and gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their countries. Libya’s eastern-based government also followed regional allies in cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar, its Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Dayri confirmed. Qatar slammed the decisions to sever ties with it, saying they were unjustified and aimed to put Doha under political guardianship. AIRLINES SUSPEND OPERATIONS: All the nations have announced plans to cut air and sea traffic to the peninsular country. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, Dubai-based flydubai and long-haul carrier Emirates all announced suspension of flights to Qatar amid the escalating diplomatic rift.
Source:Libya Today
June 05, 2017 18:45 UTC
Libya east-based government cuts diplomatic ties with Qatar
Libya's eastern government, which is based in Al-Bayda and chaired by Abdullah Al-Thanni, has cut ties with Qatar to join Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain and Yemen. The eastern government, which is not recognized by the international community and is a strong rejecting entity of the Skhirat-signed Libyan Political Agreement, severed ties with Qatar in solidarity with the five other states, which announced cutting relations with Qatar as well, said the eastern government's Foreign Minister, Mohammed Al-Dayri. Al-Dayri cited Libyans' disfavor of Qatar's repetitive attacks on their dignity after February revolution of 2011. The severance of diplomatic ties could hardly have any effect on the ground in Libya as the eastern government is weekly represented across Libya, since in fact it only represents some cities in the eastern region, while western, central and southern Libyan regions remain beyond its control and decisions.
Source:Libya Observer
June 05, 2017 12:45 UTC
Awaqir tribe gunmen storm prison in Benghazi and free tribesman
An armed group affiliated with Awaqir tribe stormed Al-Kofiya Prison in Benghazi and freed Nuri Bu Fannarah, one of the tribe’s senior leaders, hours after his abduction. Local sources said the Awaqir armed group was led by Faraj Egaim, the commander of so-called Special Tasks Force. On the same day, House of Representatives member from Awaqir tribe, Badir Najeeb, escaped an assassination attempt in Benghazi’s Masakin neighbourhood. Relations between Awaqir tribe and Dignity Operation chief Khalifa Haftar have deteriorated since the recognition of Defense Minister-designate Al-Mihdi Al-Baraghati UN-proposed Presidency Council. Video of Bu Fannarah's arrival home after his release by forceRelated: Awaqir tribe severs relations with Dignity Operation, demands truth behind ISIS escape
Source:Libya Observer
June 05, 2017 11:03 UTC
Presidency Council appoints chiefs for two military zones
The UN-installed Presidency Council (PC) appointed Sunday Brig. Osama Al-Jwaili as Chief of the Western Military Zone. Al-Jwaili is a top commander in Zintan Military Council. Mohammed Al-Haddad, a senior commander of Al-Halboos Brigade in Misrata, as Chief of the Central Military Zone. The appointment of the two chiefs came 4 days after the formation of seven military zones in Libya, namely: Tripoli, Benghazi, Tobruk, Sabha, Al-Kufra, Central Region, and Western Region.
Source:Libya Observer
June 04, 2017 19:30 UTC
Libyan Scholars Association denounces linking Ghweila to Manchester attack
The Libyan Scholars Association has denounced - in a statement on Sunday - linking the Libyan cleric Abdelbasit Ghweila, with the Manchester Arena attack that took place on May 22. The association said that it decries the radicalism and terrorism accusations directed at Ghweila, who himself is part of many organizations that advocate for peace and tolerance and renounce radicalism and extremism.
Source:Libya Observer
June 04, 2017 16:30 UTC
News Roundup - Sun, Jun 4, 2017
-------------------------------Heavy clashes broke out between two armed groups in the western city of Zawia on Saturday night and continued until the morning of Sunday. It also called on media outlets and news operators to be professional and honest when they publicize any story. -------------------------------The Presidential Council of the UN proposed Government issued an explanatory memorandum on its decision to establish military zones. UNICEF spokesperson Leonard Doyle said the victims included woman and children who were trying to reach Europe through Libya. Al-Khayali added that the quantities that arrive from the Zawiya depot are insufficient to meet the fuel needs of the region.
Source:Libya Observer
June 04, 2017 13:41 UTC
Fighting erupts in Zawia city in western Libya
Heavy clashes broke out between two armed groups in the western city of Zawia on Saturday night and continued until the morning of Sunday. Local sources reported that Khadrawi brigade exchanged heavy fire with its rival Hanish armed group in Omer Mukhtar and Jamal Abdul-Nasir streets in downtown leaving some people dead and others wounded. The clashes erupted after two Hanish fighters were killed outside a café. There are reports that commander of Hanish brigade, Ibrahim, was killed in the clashes. The Libyan Red Crescent warned local residents near the clashes zone to stay at home and keep away from windows while it tries to find a safe corridor for them.
Source:Libya Observer
June 04, 2017 10:18 UTC
1,296 Nigerians repatriated from Libya from Jan to May —IOM
1,296 Nigerians repatriated from Libya from Jan to May —IOM… more strandedBy Chioma ObinnaNo fewer than 1,296 Nigerians were repatriated from Libya between January and May this year. According to the figures released, yesterday, by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) during a stakeholders round table on irregular migration and human trafficking in Lagos, more Nigerians are stranded in Libya. “Nigerians need to know that the grass is not greener on the other side. According to the Head, Public Enlightenment, NAPTIP, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, human trafficking is modern day slavery which has destroyed a lot of life. The post 1,296 Nigerians repatriated from Libya from Jan to May —IOM appeared first on Vanguard News.
Source:Libya Today
June 04, 2017 06:45 UTC
Manchester madness: The original sin
The rock concert turned into a danse macabre for the mostly teenage fans that had congregated at the venue. Tragically prophetic words and sound advice by the wily old Libyan leader, both rebuffed, resulting in his barbaric murder on 20 October 2011 and leading, through the long trail of debris of the Libyan civil war, obliquely to the Manchester tragedy. The USA, UK and French ‘humanitarian intervention’, in reality a fierce bombing campaign, and the subsequent civil war in Libya havereportedly claimed 30,000 Libyan lives, and injuries to 50,000 and counting. And so, ‘The truth cannot be hid, Somebody chose their pain, What needn’t have happened did’. Only a Nuremberg type trial of the responsible western leaders for ‘waging aggressive war’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ can abate somewhat the fury felt in the Muslim world.
Source:Libya Today
June 04, 2017 05:03 UTC