Where Libya's revolution began, many now yearn for a strong handBy Ulf LaessingBENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Sitting in his cafe near the spot where the protests against Muammar Gaddafi touched off the Libyan revolution eight years ago, Miftah Atluba is not sorry the dictator has gone. Pictures of a sombre Haftar, dressed in uniform, have adorned Benghazi's streets since his Libyan National Army (LNA) expelled their enemies. Many Haftar supporters see little point in reconciling with opponents, whom they call "terrorists" or "Muslim Brothers". But many LNA supporters are sceptical about dialogue. When asked about a possible offensive towards Tripoli, LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari said only: "The army (LNA) is charge of protecting the whole of Libya."

Amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, Kuwait has issued a stark advisory to its citizens in Lebanon, urging them to depart the country promptly. Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cautioned against travel to Lebanon because of ongoing security developments in the region. The ministry’s statement specifically encouraged Kuwaiti citizens currently in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible, unless faced with urgent circumstances. Meanwhile, recent developments have seen heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel, with the Israeli military reportedly preparing operational plans for a potential offensive on Lebanon as of June 18. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz indicated the possibility of a significant shift in strategy against Hezbollah and Lebanon, warning of severe consequences in the event of a broader conflict.

Italian authorities conducted an operation at the port of Gioia Tauro, seizing a cargo ship allegedly carrying millions of dollars worth of weapons from China to forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya, according to Corriere della Sera. On June 18, they intercepted the large container ship in the southwestern port of Gioia Tauro, where they confiscated its cargo. After stopping at the ports of Valencia and Barcelona in Spain, it reached Gioia Tauro on June 18. U.S. officials reportedly decided to seize the weapons when the ship arrived in Italy, possibly requesting assistance from their Italian allies. Following the June 18 operation, the MSC Arina departed Gioia Tauro on June 20, continuing its journey in the western Mediterranean.

Sheikh Hasina said, both countries have endorsed the Vision Declaration to guide us towards a peaceful and prosperous future. Sheikh Hasina said, today we had a very fruitful meeting between the two sides. Sheikh Hasina said, I believe, these discussions will give us important direction in determining the better way of cooperation with each other. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also said, 'I sincerely thank the Government of India for extending warm hospitality to me and my delegation. Sheikh Hasina gratefully recalled the contribution of the Indian government and people to the independence of Bangladesh.

Based on an invitation from the Commercial Section of the Canadian Embassy in Libya, an oil and gas delegation from the Libyan Business Council (LBC) attended the Global Energy Show Canada held in Calgary from 11-13 June. The LBC Media and External Relations Consultant, Tarek Smuee, told Libya Herald that 20 members attended the event where they held B2B meetings with various Canadian companies of different specialisations in the energy sector, including renewables. The meetings, he added, were fruitful with the Canadian companies expressing the desire to work with the Libyan private sector to enter the Libyan market and provide it with the latest knowhow and technology in the sector. Peter Cahill, Regional Trade Commissioner, welcomed the LBC delegation, which Smuee said was the first delegation of this size to visit Canada for more than 10 years, adding that the Canadian Embassy in Libya also welcomed the return of Libyan trade delegations to its country.

Warning of imminent disaster in Kufra due to Sudanese refugees http://lyo.ly/5kkdOil Minister decries inability to resume his duties http://lyo.ly/5kkaTurkey welcomes Libya's voter registration for municipal elections, urges broad participation http://lyo.ly/5kk7Dbeibah extends condolences to Chadian president after deadly ammunition explosion http://lyo.ly/5kk6Libya blames foreign powers for ongoing crisis, demands end to interference http://lyo.ly/5kk0Libyan Basketball League enters its final stage http://lyo.ly/5kk1LFF reveals stadiums in which Libyan PL finals will be played http://lyo.ly/5kkcMinistry of Health to organize ‘Healthcare Forum and Exhibition’ http://lyo.ly/5kkbThree people and infant died in traffic accident in Al-Jufra http://lyo.ly/5kjsTwo bodies recovered on Sabratha coast http://lyo.ly/5kjrKoury discusses with Maltese ambassador support for political process in Libya http://lyo.ly/5kjpHNEC announces resumption of work of its calling center http://lyo.ly/5kjoReopening of Ras Jadir border crossing postponed to next Monday http://lyo.ly/5kjnKoury: There is consensus among Libyan people about the need to advance the political process, as the status quo is not sustainable http://lyo.ly/5kjmSudan's delegate to UN Security Council accuses Haftar and UAE of supporting Hemedti's forces http://lyo.ly/5kjkTwo migrant ships sank off Italy’s coast, one of them coming from Libya http://lyo.ly/5kjjAfriqiyah Airways announces pilgrim return flights http://lyo.ly/5kjhU.S. ambassador hails entrepreneurship training in Libya http://lyo.ly/5kjgPM Dbeibah mourns loss of former Warfalla Council head Al-Barghouthi http://lyo.ly/5kj8Saadawi: US elections, EU shifts to impact stalled Libyan crisis http://lyo.ly/5kj7

Aker BP has made a new gas discovery in the Barents Sea on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. At the same time, the rival western government in Tripoli will be getting nervous about the rise of this private family army in the east. At the same time, the rival western government in Tripoli will be getting nervous about the rise of this private family army in the east. Discovery & DevelopmentAker BP has made a new gas discovery in the Barents Sea on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Former BP CEO Tony Hayward will chair the new venture, focused on boosting offshore gas production to serve European and North African markets.

Türkiye welcomed the announcement by the Higher National Electoral Commission (HNEC) that voter registration for municipal council elections in Libya has begun. The Turkish Embassy called on all segments of the Libyan population to actively participate in the elections. The embassy emphasized the importance of local elections as a crucial step toward demonstrating the Libyan people’s readiness and capacity to organize national-level elections. It also reiterated Ankara’s strong support for the electoral process in Libya and endorsed the efforts of the HNEC and the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to ensure inclusive, fair, and transparent elections.

Acclaimed Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass stated that the opinions announced by a group of Afrocentrists inside the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir have no basis in truth and are fantasies. He explained that the Black Kingdom of Kush ruled Egypt in 500 B.C., at the end of the Pharaonic civilization. When the Kingdom of Kush ruled Egypt, it did not leave any impact, it was the Egyptian civilization that influenced those people. Hawass pointed out that we will find that the features of the Egyptian king are different and do not show any characteristics that suggest he was Black. Hawass clarified that the Afrocentric movement aims to create confusion by spreading false and misleading information that the origin of Egyptian civilization is Black.

Libya's UN representative, Taher El-Sonni, says that foreign interventions are the leading cause of the country's ongoing crisis. Speaking at the UN Security Council session on Libya on Wednesday, El-Sonni conveyed dismay regarding the ongoing impasse and lectures on necessary actions while rebuking other nations for exploiting Libya for their own agendas. Noting that 2.8 million Libyans registered for elections three years ago are still awaiting their conduct, El-Sonni called for clear answers regarding the political process obstructions. El-Sonni referenced Stephanie Koury's briefing, indicating no progress in the political process while stressing the importance of continuing the political process from the points of agreement reached so far. I believe it is time to leave Libya alone," El-Sonni added.

In Libya we are being asked to make a choice between two unacceptable choices, continuation of the government in Tripoli or its overthrow by the West. This breaches the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 1973, forbidding the provision of arms to anyone in Libya, not just the government in Tripoli. Britain, France and the US are no friends of the Arab revolution. The regime’s enemies have wanted it for years, and now the Arab revolution is giving them the opportunity. Like Iraq, Libya will have been destroyed as a unitary Arab state.

In this photo released by the United Nations, Stephanie Koury, on screen, Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs for Libya, briefs the Security Council on the situation in Libya, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at U.N. headquarters. Koury said Libyans from rival regions and all walks of life are fed up with the country’s divisions and want political players to end their years-long impasse and agree to hold national elections, a key step to peace in the oil-rich north African country.

The deputy head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Stephanie Koury, emphasized Wednesday the "determination and unity" of the Libyan people while expressing concern about reports of human rights violations. Koury, who is currently acting UN envoy for Libya after Abdoulaye Bathily announced his resignation in April, briefed the Security Council on the situation in Libya. She told Council members about her engagement in extensive consultations across Libya and insights into an inclusive political process. He criticized the international community for its inability to implement resolutions and hold accountable those who perpetuate instability in Libya. Let us take the path and pave the road towards the future we want as Libyans," he stressed.

He called on all stakeholders to engage in UNSMIL’s mediation efforts and move from entrenched positions to facilitate national elections. Libyans are calling for a national political solution and local elections. She highlighted that in June the High National Elections Commission opened voter registration for municipal elections in 60 municipalities, with over 30,000 people registering so far. All stakeholders must engage in UNSMIL’s mediation efforts and move from entrenched positions to facilitate national elections. She welcomed progress towards local elections, urging authorities to facilitate the High National Elections Commission’s work, and hoped to see presidential and parliamentary elections follow.

Source: United Nations (Video News)[embedded content]Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. This is in stark contrast to six weeks ago, when Rafah hosted 1.4 million displaced before the Israeli evacuation orders and military operations. UNRWA also tells us that for more than 8 months now, 625,000 children have been out of school because of the hostilities. SECURITY COUNCILAs you know, yesterday afternoon, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, briefed the Security Council on Ukraine. DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERALThis morning, the Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed spoke at the General Assembly Annual Review of HIV/AIDS on behalf of the Secretary-General.