Sayala: Saleh cannot be a political partner due to his support for the coup
Speaker of Tripoli-based House of Representatives, Hamouda Sayala said that the speaker of east Libya parliament, Aguila Saleh could not be a political partner, as he was a supporter of the military coup initiated by Khalifa Haftar. Sayala added in an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher that the political process should be bereft of Haftar who is not trustworthy after his dismissal of all previous agreements put before him. He went on to say that they are willing to sit down with anyone from the opposite party, providing that they are willing to sincerely seek a peaceful solution, adding that Haftar is the one who brought mercenaries into Libya. Sayala also remarked that Libya’s partnership with Turkey was a legitimate option, according to official agreements between the two parties.
Source:Libya Observer
June 03, 2020 08:48 UTC
![[ANALYSIS] Will COVID normality boomerang? Five scenarios for Abela](http://cdn.maltatoday.com.mt/ui_frontend/thumbnail/684/400/robert_abela_and_cabinet.jpg)
[ANALYSIS] Will COVID normality boomerang? Five scenarios for Abela
Abela now risks suffering a backlash from the same audience he has pandered to, as soon as ports are reopened. Even during the health crisis, it became evident that the construction and hotel lobby still carry disproportionate political power. By declaring the COVID emergency over, Abela may have stolen Fearne of his thunder. This time round Abela was also more careful in his delivery, thus diminishing the contrast with his deputy prime minister. Abela’s gravitas as a statesman with foresight is in questionAbela may have taken a step too far by declaring that the COVID-19 crisis is now behind us.
Source:Libya Today
June 03, 2020 08:15 UTC
Libya: Landmines Left After Armed Group Withdraws
(Washington, DC) – An armed group and affiliates fighting for control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, appear to have used antipersonnel landmines and booby traps there in late May 2020, Human Rights Watch said today. “Any use of internationally banned landmines is unconscionable,” said Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, the Nobel Peace Co-Laureate. These devices were assembled and used in a manner intended to be detonated by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person, Human Rights Watch said. Libya is affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war dating back to World War II. Since then, landmines and explosive remnants of war in Libya have caused at least 3,252 casualties, according to Landmine Monitor.
Source:Libya Today
June 03, 2020 06:45 UTC
Europe tries to reassure Russia over Libya arms embargo mission
Europe tried to reassure Russia during a UN Security Conference video call Tuesday after a French warship intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Libya under an operation to halt the flow of arms to the North African country. European Union representatives spent the closed-door meeting -- which Russia requested -- explaining the EU's naval mission to enforce an arms embargo on Libya, which began April 1, according to diplomats who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The bloc reiterated the "commitment of European states to respect (arms and oil) embargoes" "within the strict rules of Security Council resolutions," one diplomat said. Diplomats said the interception of an oil tanker by the French ship off the coast of Tobruk 10 days ago was a major topic of conversation during Tuesday's session. The French foreign ministry only said the warship had "interacted" with the oil tanker.
Source:Libya Today
June 03, 2020 06:11 UTC
Turkey's Syrian mercenaries say Libya is 'not a war they want to die for'
“I didn’t lose that many guys in 10 years of the bloody Syrian war,” said Adnan, 40, a group leader affiliated to Al Hamza division. In January, the Turkish national assembly approved a resolution to send troops to Libya to support the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. Giulio Piscitelli/MSF for The National A Nigerian woman plays with her baby, born in Libya, outside the church of San Francis in Tripoli. Giulio Piscitelli/MSF for The National A Somali refugee in his accomodation in the district of Gorgi, south of Tripoli. Giulio Piscitelli/MSF for The National“It is like the beginning of the Syrian war.
Source:Libya Today
June 03, 2020 04:07 UTC
Philippines morning news for June 3, 2020
6817, which seeks to protect persons who are confirmed, suspect or probable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. — RapplerBuildings with 2 or more COVID cases face lockdownBuildings that have at least two occupants with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be placed under lockdown. — Eagle NewsCommentary: PPPs key to infrastructure building amid pandemicThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has laid bare critical gaps in our country’s infrastructure. — Philippine NewsFeature photo Department of Transportation – PhilippinesThis week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, June 5. Philippines morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Philippines English language news headlines published.
Source:Libya Today
June 03, 2020 00:00 UTC
Intel: Pompeo, French counterpart discuss Libya war
Jun 2, 2020Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the situation in Libya today with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. Hifter launched an ongoing offensive against Tripoli, the seat of the Government of National Accord, more than a year ago. While France formally backs the UN negotiations, it has reportedly provided clandestine support to Hifter. The United Arab Emirates and Russia are also backing Hifter’s forces, while Turkey is supporting the Government of National Accord. Know more: The United States is considering dispatching troops to Tunisia to help contain the fallout from the Libya conflict, Pentagon Correspondent Jared Szuba reports.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 23:48 UTC
Pompeo, Drian Discuss Steps To Advance Political Solution In Libya
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd June, 2020) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed over the telephone the advancement of a negotiated political settlement in Libya, Department of State spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. "Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss steps to reduce violence and advance a negotiated political solution to end the conflict in Libya," Ortagus said on Tuesday evening. After the ouster and assassination of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country was plunged into a brutal civil war. Today, Libya is divided between two centers of power - an elected parliament in the country's east, supported by the LNA and the UN-backed GNA in the west. In early February, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission comprised of five senior military officers from each side, started negotiations under United Nations auspices in Geneva.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 21:10 UTC
Egypt and UAE welcome Libyan parties acceptance to resume talks on ceasefire
ABU DHABI, 2nd June 2020 (WAM) - As part of their continuous consultation and coordination, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, welcomed today, during a telephone call, the United Nation's announcement that the Libyan National Army, LNA, and the Government of National Accord, GNA, accepted to resume talks on ceasefire. They also reiterated adherence to political solution that would support peace, security and stability in all parts of Libya. In a joint statement issued today, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation called for the commitment to the political process under the supervision of the United Nations, and the Berlin Conference on Libyan. They emphasised that the political process is the only solution to achieve peace in Libya, and to maintain unity and territorial integrity.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 21:09 UTC
Calls for peace talks in Libya as battle continue to rage
FRENCH Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has called for the resumption of United Nations peace talks between the warring parties as fighting continues in Libya despite a ceasefire agreement. The two sides have been vying for control of Libya, which descended into chaos following the 2011 Nato-led bombing campaign and the ousting of Muammar Gadaffi. Mr Le Drian talked on the phone to GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on Monday, with the officials both stressing the need for a speedy end to the escalating hostilities. France has itself been accused of fuelling the war in Libya with questions being asked after Javelin missiles were found in an LNA camp last year. Mr Le Drian admitted at the time that they were French missiles but denied supplying them, claiming they were lost by French soldiers operating in Libya.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 15:25 UTC
Implausible Deniability: Russia’s Private Military Companies
Recent reversals in Libya’s ongoing conflict have cast a dramatic spotlight on the evolving role of Russian and other foreign private military companies. (Independent media outlets have covered the subject at significant risk: several Russian investigative journalists reporting on Russian PMCs have died under suspicious circumstances.) There are also credible reports that Wagner personnel have been involved in atrocities, including the torture and dismemberment of Syrian citizens. The Russian PMC’s personnel were reportedly poorly prepared and trained for that campaign, suffered casualties, and made no progress against the insurgency. These features of Russian PMCs have manifested themselves in some of their best-known deployments.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 14:22 UTC
Africa and Europe need a new, win-win, migration deal
Despite the war in Libya and the coronavirus outbreak, irregular migration from North Africa towards the southern European shores remains inevitable. Over 100,000 lives have been lost in Europe, mainly in the traditional destinations of African migrants like Italy, France, Germany and Spain. And there’s also the risk that new waves of irregular migrants could include radicalized people. Mobility partnership revisitedFor Europe and for Africa, having a more transparent, more efficient visa and migration system can be a solution to curb future flows of irregular migrants. EU officials have often expressed their desire to see more Tunisian workers and tourists get their visa with the minimum bureaucratic and financial conditions.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 13:51 UTC
Syrian mercenaries refuse fighting in Libya: SOHR
FILE PHOTO - Turkish and U.S. military vehicles are seen during a joint U.S.-Turkey patrol in a Syrian border village near Tel Abyad, Syria, September 8, 2019.Turkish Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERSLONDON, June 2 (MENA) - A state of disobedience is prevailing in the ranks of Syrian mercenaries who were sent by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to support the militias of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez El Sarraj, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).The Syrians reject to be recruited in the ranks of the GNA ranks due to the casualties they were inflicted during confrontations with the Libyan National Army led by General Khalifa Haftar, an observatory report was quoted by Sky News as saying on Tuesday.Also, this state of disobedience is caused by failure to pay them their financial dues at 2,000 dollars per month.The observatory pointed out that Turkey is exercising pressures on the commanders of the Syrian factions that are loyal to Ankara for sending more Syrian fighters to Libya.Up to 339 Syrian fighters were killed in confrontations in Libya, including 20 children less than 18 years old, added the observatory.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 13:18 UTC
Libya killings: ‘Ring leader’ of trafficking gang sent to jail
A Dhaka court today rejected the bail petition of Kamal Uddin alias Haji Kamal, an alleged ring leader of a human trafficking gang, and sent him to jail in connection with a case filed under the Bangladesh Passport Act. Metropolitan Magistrate Abu Sufian Md Noman passed the order after Sub-Inspector Nurul Islam of Bhatara Police Station who is also the investigation officer of the case produced Kamal before the court. In the forwarding report, the investigation officer appealed to the court to keep the man in jail until the investigation is completed. Yesterday, Rab-3 arrested Kamal, for his alleged connection to the human trafficking gang that kidnapped and murdered 26 Bangladeshi workers in Libya on Thursday. Lt Col Rakibul Hasan, commanding officer of Rab-3 yesterday said Kamal has trafficked more than 400 people to Libya over the last decade.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 12:03 UTC
Is the Conflict in Libya a Preview of the Future of Warfare?
The Libyan conflict, now entering its ninth year, could well be a testing ground for how wars will be fought in the future. On one side of the conflict is the internationally recognized Government of National Accord, or GNA, backed by Turkey and, to a lesser extent, Italy and Qatar. But external nation-states have long interfered in other countries’ civil wars, so what is new, exactly, about what is happening in Libya? Moreover, Russia is recruiting Syrian mercenaries of its own to deploy to Libya and fight on behalf of Haftar. Don’t miss:In addition, the deployment of thousands of Syrian and Sudanese mercenaries to Libya reflects a growing and troubling trend in modern proxy warfare.
Source:Libya Today
June 02, 2020 12:02 UTC