News : Al Sisi and Macron reiterate their rejection of "external interference" in Libya
.- The Egyptian president, Abdelfatah al Sisi, reiterated this Saturday along with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, his rejection of “external interference” in the Libyan conflict, which he branded as “illegal”. In a statement released today, the Egyptian Presidency reported on the telephone conversation between the two leaders and in which Al Sisi stressed that Egypt’s position in the Libyan conflict is “to put a limit on illegal external interference (…) they threaten security and stability in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. “He also stressed that Egypt is working to “recover the institutional pillars of the Libyan state and end the chaos and the expansion of criminal groups and terrorist militias” in Libya. of Berlin, in addition to the rejection of “any external interference”. While the GNA has the support of Turkey, Italy and Qatar, Hafter is supported by Russian, Sudanese, Chadian and Syrian mercenaries, in addition to economic and military aid from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and France.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 18:45 UTC
Egypt’s El-Sisi: Foreign Interference In Libya Threatens Stability In Region
By Arab NewsForeign interference in Libya threatens stability and security in the north Africa region, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Saturday. Putting an end to illegal foreign interventions in Libya and the chaos caused by criminal groups and terrorist militias is necessary, El-Sisi said during a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron. Both presidents agreed that they were keen to see a political solution reached in Libya that would pave the way for a return of security and stability in the country. They added that this could be achieved through implementing the outcomes of the Berlin process and supporting the efforts of the UN to achieve peace in Libya. For more of our reporting make sure to sign up for our free newsletter!
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 18:33 UTC
US commends Malta's seizure of Russia-printed counterfeit Libyan currency
The United States has hailed Malta’s announcement on May 26 of its seizure of $1.1 billion of counterfeit Libyan currency printed by Joint Stock Company Goznak – a Russian state-owned company. A statement by the Spokesperson of the US State Department, Morgan Ortagus, said the money was regarded as counterfeit because it was ordered by an illegitimate parallel entity in eastern Libya, referring to pro-Haftar authorities in the eastern region. The statement on Friday added that the Central Bank of Libya headquartered in Tripoli is Libya’s only legitimate central bank, stressing that the influx of counterfeit, Russian-printed Libyan currency in recent years has exacerbated Libya’s economic challenges. The Spokesperson of the US State Department remarked that Washington remains committed to working with the United Nations and international partners to deter illicit activities that undermine Libya’s sovereignty and stability, and are inconsistent with internationally-recognized sanctions regimes. “This incident once again highlights the need for Russia to cease its malign and destabilizing actions in Libya.” The US State Department Spokesperson said.
Source:Libya Observer
May 30, 2020 16:18 UTC
Malta pushback inquiry: Magistrate throws out Repubblika complaint of homicide
A magistrate has thrown out a criminal complaint filed by the NGO Repubblika accusing the government of the death of seven migrants pushed back to Libya when it contracted a private vessel to take them back. The Maltese government has published the entire 491-page magisterial inquiry by Magistrate Joe Mifsud into allegations of a migrant pushback by a private vessel acting as a state agent, and claims that the Maltese army sabotaged a migrant boat. In a government statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said the report threw out allegations of voluntary homicide by the Prime Minister, the AFM commander, and the P52 crew. The inquiry was launched after NGO Repubblika filed a criminal complaint after a boat was taken back to Libya by a commercial vessel, with five migrants confirmed dead and seven others missing. The complaint was two-fold: that the Maltese are responsible for this pushback, and that in a second episode, the P52 boat of the AFM sabotaged another migrant boat.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 15:00 UTC
Turkey’s Dangerous Energy Play Is Putting The Entire Region At Risk
The Eastern Mediterranean has become a theatre for power politics which has its origin in energy exploration and production activities. The UAE’s recent condemnation of Turkey’s exploration activities shows that there are overlapping concerns. The French are equally concerned with Turkey’s presence in Libya because it could alter the balance on the battlefield. Ankara’s sea demarcation agreement with Tripoli has managed to link the future of Libya with energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Eastern Mediterranean states, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel, are unified due to the discovery of significant energy resources.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 15:00 UTC
Prime Minister to be swabbed for COVID-19 after Libya visit
Prime Minister Robert Abela and his retinue are to be swabbed for COVID-19 after they returned from an official trip to Libya yesterday. Abela was granted special exemption from quarantine for himself and those on the aircraft. The Public Health Superintendent had consented to a request from the Office of the Prime Minister, to exempt Prime Minister Robert Abela from a mandatory quarantine period after his lightning visit to Tripoli. The visit included foreign minister Evarist Bartolo and home affairs minister Byron Camilleri. But while the quarantine exemption still stands, the Superintendent of Public Health insisted that those who attended the meeting abroad be swabbed for COVID-19.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 12:45 UTC
IOM calls for an immediate investigation into "Mizdah's Massacre"
The International Organization for Migration has called on the Libyan authorities to immediately launch an investigation into the killing of 30 migrants that took place in Mizdah city southwest of Libya last Wednesday, insisting that those responsible must be brought to justice. "The tragedy occurred in a smuggling warehouse in Mizdah, near the city of Gharyan, where a group of migrants were being held," IOM stated, noting that the incident involved human traffickers in Libya. It explained that 11 migrants who sustained severe injuries have been rushed to the hospital and some of those in critical condition were transferred to clinics in the capital Tripoli by the IOM medical staff. "This senseless crime is a bleak reminder of the horrors migrants have to endure at the hands of smugglers and traffickers in Libya,” said IOM Libya Chief of Mission Federico Soda. Soda accused "criminal groups" of taking advantage of the instability and security situation to prey on desperate people and exploit their vulnerabilities.
Source:Libya Observer
May 30, 2020 12:33 UTC
Turkey to explore for oil in Libya waters in 4 months
Thank you for your reading and interest in the news Turkey to explore for oil in Libya waters in 4 months and now with detailsAden - Yasmin Abdel Azim - Turkey's drilling vessel Fatih sails through Bosphorus as she leaves for the Black Sea in Istanbul, Turkey May 29, 2020. Image Credit: REUTERS Ankara: Turkey’s planning to start oil exploration within maritime borders set by an accord with Libya’s Tripoli-based government in three to four months, state-run Anadolu Agency cited Energy Minister Fatih Donmez as saying on Friday. The new “Kanuni” drilling ship will sail into the Mediterranean for its first mission this year, Donmez said. Turkey supports Sarraj’s government in its conflict against eastern-based military leader Khalifa Haftar. These were the details of the news Turkey to explore for oil in Libya waters in 4 months for this day.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 11:37 UTC
US military considers assistance to Tunisia amid Russia concerns
Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - Moscow's involvement in Libyan conflict raises fears for regional security, US Africa Command saysThe United States military said it is looking to use one of its Security Force Assistance Brigades in Tunisia, amid concern over Russian activity in neighbouring Libya. "As Russia continues to fan the flames of the Libyan conflict, regional security in North Africa is a heightened concern," the United States Africa Command said in a statement. "We’re looking at new ways to address mutual security concerns with Tunisia, including the use of our Security Force Assistance Brigade," it added. Russian military personnel have delivered 14 MiG 29 and Su-24 fighter jets to the Libyan National Army's Jufra air base, the US military said on Wednesday, despite denials by the LNA and a Russian member of parliament. In a statement, Tunisia's defense ministry said the United States was a main partner in the effort to build the Tunisian army's operational capability.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 07:52 UTC
UN calls for probe into migrants’ killing in Libya
By | Published: 2:49 pmUnited Nations: The UN has called for an investigation into the killing of 30 migrants in western Libya. “I am shocked by the horrific reports about Wednesday’s shooting at a smuggling warehouse in Mezda killing 30 migrants and injuring 11 others,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya Yacoub El Hillo said in a statement on Friday. The impunity with which smugglers and traffickers operate in Libya must be brought to an immediate stop,” he urged. The UN estimated that more than 654,000 migrants and refugees are living in Libya, and many of them face arbitrary detention, gender-based violence, forced labour, extortion and exploitation. Smugglers exploited chaos and insecurity in the country to send thousands of migrants through the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 06:00 UTC
First 2 UN peacekeepers die of Covid-19
NEW YORK: Two UN peacekeepers in Mali have died from the coronavirus, officials said Friday. “Unfortunately, I also want to say that yesterday and today two of our military colleagues have passed away due to Covid-19,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, during a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York to honour the peacekeepers killed in conflict. Minusma is the hardest-hit mission, with 90 cases of infection, 43 recovered and the two deaths. Other cases have been reported among peacekeepers in South Sudan, Libya, Israel and Darfur, the UN said. In 2019, 83 soldiers, police officers and civilians in 39 different countries were killed during peacekeeping missions.
Source:Libya Today
May 30, 2020 02:15 UTC
AI helped predict virus health care needs, says SEHA CFO
Thank you for reading the news about AI helped predict virus health care needs, says SEHA CFO and now with the detailsJeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - DHAKA: Bangladeshi authorities are struggling to recover the bodies of 26 nationals after they were killed in a gunfight by human traffickers in Libya on Thursday. The survivor said that they had paid between $8,000 and $10,000 to the traffickers to reach Europe through Libya, but that suddenly more money was demanded. Ashraful Islam, labor counselor at the Bangladesh Embassy to Libya, told Arab News on Friday. Bangladesh is one of the top 10 countries where people risk their lives to cross the sea on small boats. In the first four months of this year 693 Bangladeshis were arrested by border and coast guard authorities while trying to enter Europe illegally.
Source:Libya Today
May 29, 2020 22:40 UTC
Human traffickers kill 26 Bangladeshis in Libya
Thank you for reading the news about Human traffickers kill 26 Bangladeshis in Libya and now with the detailsJeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on Friday vowed to challenge his shock dismissal from the political party he co-founded in 2016. And the ex-PM also questioned the legal position of current Malaysian premier, Muhyiddin Yassin, as the party chair. Muhammad claimed that Mahathir had sat with the opposition bloc instead of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) bloc led by Bersatu president Muhyiddin. “We have been denied the right to speak in the parliament,” said Mahathir, adding that the seating arrangements went against the country’s democracy. “If all avenues are exhausted, Mahathir may even set up a new political party or take over the leadership of an existing party,” said Oh.
Source:Libya Today
May 29, 2020 22:30 UTC
Policies and propaganda
The way that Greece is handling Covid-19, though, might suggest a way to deal with other issues, too. For years, Turkey has challenged Greek and Cypriot rights by all means: politically, militarily and legally (questioning laws and treaties). Recently, it has invested much in propaganda, accusing Greece of violence against migrants whom Turkey itself exploits to test Greece’s borders. Greece does not deprive its people of rights, the way Turkey does; Greece does not export violence, the way Turkey does. It must show that the correct, human management of problems is not for show, that it strengthens society and is a most powerful weapon.
Source:Libya Today
May 29, 2020 17:48 UTC
Bangladeshis killed in Libya were ‘abducted, tortured’
Image Credit: Reuters Dhaka: The 30 migrants slain by traffickers in Libya on Wednesday had been abducted while crossing the country in search of work and then tortured to extract a ransom, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday, citing a survivor. Another 11 migrants survived the shooting and are in hospital in Mizda, a desert town 160km south of Tripoli where the killings took place. At some point in their ordeal the captives killed the main kidnapper. “These criminal groups are taking advantage of the instability and security situation to prey on desperate people,” said IOM Libya chief Federico Soda. These were the details of the news Bangladeshis killed in Libya were ‘abducted, tortured’ for this day.
Source:Libya Today
May 29, 2020 17:03 UTC