Top lawmaker denies that Russia sent warplanes to Libya
MOSCOW (AP) " A senior Russian lawmaker on Wednesday strongly rejected the U.S. military's claim that Russia has deployed fighter jets to Libya to support east-based forces in their offensive on the capital, Tripoli. Viktor Bondarev, the former Russian air force chief who heads the defense committee in the upper house of parliament, dismissed the claim by the U.S. Africa Command as "stupidity." 'If the warplanes are in Libya, they are Soviet, not Russian,' he said. The U.S. Africa Command said Tuesday the Russian military aircraft arrived in Libya recently from an airbase in Russia via Syria, where they were repainted to hide their Russian origin. Hifter is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, while the Tripoli-allied militias are aided by Turkey, Qatar and Italy.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 18:33 UTC
Libya records new COVID-19 death and two infections among repatriated nationals
Now Libya's Coronavirus cases stand at a total of 79 cases, the center said, adding that the two positive cases were among 218 samples received by its Reference Laboratories in Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi as well as the Tripoli University Hospital. The southern region in Libya registered the first two Coronavirus cases on Tuesday, one of whom is a woman in her fifties and the second is a man in his thirties. The two cases contacted with a suspected positive Coronavirus case - the mother of the man - the center said, adding that mother died of high temperature without testing positive for Coronavirus. "We will follow up with the people who were in contact with the new Coronavirus cases." Meanwhile, a source from Sabha said that the mother of the man could have died from Coronavirus but the lack of medical capabilities affected proper diagnosis of the woman.
Source:Libya Observer
May 27, 2020 18:22 UTC
France sees Syria scenario being replicated in Libya: FM
The group of 20 are joined by 50 other linguaphiles from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan and even India — Pakistan’s nuclear-armed neighbor, and its archrival since the 1947 partition. Millions of our nationals are employed in different fields in several Middle Eastern countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE),” he said. (Supplied by ambassador Javed HafeezA screen grab shows participants of the Arabic Speaking Circle meeting via Zoom held on May 15. “The platform could also be used to dub classical dramas and films in both Urdu and Arabic to promote them in Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries. This is an apolitical platform, and its only purpose is to promote Arabic language and strengthen our relationship with Middle Eastern countries,” Dr. Ghazi said.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 16:42 UTC
Russia, Italy, discuss a comprehensive political process in Libya
The Special Representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and African affairs, Mikhail Bogdanov has discussed with the Italian Ambassador to Moscow, Pasquale Terracciano the latest developments in the Libyan crisis, and ways of establishing a comprehensive political process. The parties emphasized the importance of communicating with all key political powers in Libya to achieve a ceasefire, according to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Earlier today, Bogdanov had discussions with the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smaїl Chergui over the developments in Sudan and Libya.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 16:30 UTC
Libya is a launchpad for Ankara’s designs in Sudan and beyond
Ankara did not initially feel the full impact of the shift in Egypt because it was relying on Sudan as its main haven for extremist groups. The spokesman of the Arab League for Sudan, Suleiman Sirri, said that it is clear Erdogan is smuggling Islamists from Sudan to Tripoli to take part in the war effort. Sirri told Al-Arab that Libya is a strategic country for Erdogan in his plans to boost the counter-revolution in Sudan where is offering media and logistical support to Bashir loyalists. Sudanese political activist Hatem Ilias agreed that Turkey’s presence in Libya is part of its strategy for a comeback after Bashir’s ouster. First, Erdogan is relying on militias in Libya to try to revive the Muslim Brotherhood’s movement, he said.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 14:26 UTC
Russian interception of US plane complicates standoff in eastern Mediterranean
Thank you for your reading and interest in the news Russian interception of US plane complicates standoff in eastern Mediterranean and now with detailsHind Al Soulia - Riyadh - Tensions between the United States and Russia have ratcheted up in the eastern Mediterranean after Russian jets intercepted a US navy plane in the region. AP Photo“In the eastern Mediterranean, a scramble is under way between countries in the region for access to recently discovered gas fields. The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, emphasised the importance of upholding international law when it came to the eastern Mediterranean. A helicopter flies over Turkish drilling ship Fatih as it sails towards Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. Russia has backed Libya’s eastern factions led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 13:56 UTC
Libya: COVID-19 - Situation Report No. 5, As of 27 May 2020 - Libya
HighlightsAs of 26 May 2020, there are 75 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Libya, including three deaths. In May, 1,009 incidents of access constraints have been reported, 67 per cent were directly or indirectly related to COVID-19. Situation OverviewAs of 26 May 2020, the Libyan National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 75 confirmed cases, including three COVID-related deaths, in Libya. The increase can be attributed to the worsening situation of the COVID-19 outbreak at the global level and its impacts across Libya. Of all reported access constraints in April, 67 per cent were directly or indirectly related to COVID-19.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 13:07 UTC
Coronavirus - Libya: COVID-19 Situation Report (27th May 2020)
HighlightsAs of 26 May 2020, there are 75 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Libya, including three deaths. In May, 1,009 incidents of access constraints have been reported, 67 per cent were directly or indirectly related to COVID-19. Download Report: https://bit.ly/3esel2GSituation OverviewAs of 26 May 2020, the Libyan National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 75 confirmed cases, including three COVID-related deaths, in Libya. The increase can be attributed to the worsening situation of the COVID-19 outbreak at the global level and its impacts across Libya. Of all reported access constraints in April, 67 per cent were directly or indirectly related to COVID-19.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 13:07 UTC
Libya’s Gaddafi sought to replace Saudi Arabia’s ruling family
According to Gaddafi, these same Americans are worried about the danger the Saudi ruling family represents today for their security and that of the region. “This is an issue we have to agree on,” he tells the Omani minister. “Since the strategic enemy is coming with us against the enemy of the moment, why refuse him?” he asks the Omani minister. The former guide goes on to accuse the Al Saud family of having turned the pilgrimage of the holy places into a “tourist season”. The Omani minister goes on to say that the greatest fear of the Al Saud family concerns the return of 4,000 Saudi fighters who have left to fight in Iraq.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 10:22 UTC
Will Afghanistan’s Cease-Fire Open The Door For Peace?
Will Afghanistan’s Cease-Fire Open The Door For Peace? ‘The Future Depends on the Taliban’s Next Move’A three-day cease-fire between the Afghan army and the Taliban expired at midnight local time on Tuesday. “There won’t be peace in Afghanistan as long as the U.S. is still here,” 27-year-old Abdul Hak said. Afghan National Security Council spokesperson Javid Faisal has said the government wants to extend the cease-fire. “If the Taliban are ready to extend the cease-fire, we are ready to continue the cease-fire too,” Faisal said.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 09:44 UTC
Curfew announced in Sabha as two new cases of Coronavirus are detected in the city
Sabha Security Directorate announced a curfew on all citizens from 12 pm, through until 9 am daily, beginning from today and lasting for a full two weeks, in an effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The directorate clarified that this decision came after the diagnosis of two new cases of infection by the Coronavirus in the city, announced by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday. This announcement of the two new cases by the NCDC brings the total number of cases registered in Libya to date up to 77, with 40 cases recovered and 3 fatalities.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 09:33 UTC
More migrants transferred onto Captain Morgan ships, 'majority' come from 'safe' countries
More migrants were transferred to the Captain Morgan vessels outside Maltese territorial waters yesterday after the army was involved in another rescue operation. The Armed Forces of Malta was involved in the rescue of 90 migrants on Monday night and these were transferred to one of the Captain Morgan ships early on Tuesday. Asked for a breakdown of nationalities of people on board the Captain Morgan vessels, the spokesperson said “the majority” are from countries “considered safe”. “There are no women and children aboard the Captain Morgan vessels,” the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, Malta's Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS) has requested access to the three Captain Morgan ships hosting migrants.
Source:Libya Today
May 27, 2020 06:08 UTC
Grand Mufti calls for unity, urges fighters to establish a civil state, build institutions and protect fair elections
The Grand Mufti of Libya, Sheikh Al-Sadiq Al-Gharyani delivered a message on Monday to the Libyan army forces to congratulate them on Eid al-Fitr and on the victories achieved in the fronts south of Tripoli. The Mufti addressed the current events on the ground and said "This war has revealed the true people who remained loyal to the patriotic cause and those who continue to switch sides". He told the fighters "There is nothing more precious in this world than human life so make sure you do not give your lives away for something less than God’s pleasure and paradise". Sheikh al-Sadiq described the fighters as "the guardians of the nation", urging them to stand up for what's right despite the difficult path and not to accept a situation of inferiority. The Mufti concluded by again calling for unity and respect for rights saying, "The February revolution was meant to establish a civil state, build institutions, protect fair elections, eradicate all forms of corruption and eliminate spoilers who constitute a threat to these principles.
Source:Libya Observer
May 26, 2020 10:52 UTC
Concern about fate of 78 migrants left Libya towards European shores
An Italian humanitarian organization has expressed concern about the fate of 78 migrants who had left the Libyan coast towards Europe, according to the Italian Aki agency. The non-governmental organization "Mediterranea Saving Humans" said in a tweet on Monday that among the migrants were two women and four children. It stated that the migrants told the organization that they had been out in the open sea for 3 days after the boat's engine broke down in the Maltese search and rescue area. The organization confirmed that it had informed the Maltese authorities of the matter, but they heard no news of the migrants from then on. It may be important to note that the European Parliament has called for the amendment of the unified European asylum system in light of the difficulties and disputes among European countries in this file, as most of the immigration boats that depart from Libya end up in Malta or Italy.
Source:Libya Observer
May 26, 2020 09:22 UTC
Libyan Army spokesman accuses Erdogan of supporting terrorism, disrespecting int'l law
FILE: Spokesman of the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Major General Ahmed Al-Mesmari. CAIRO – 21 May 2020: Spokesman of the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Major General Ahmed Al-Mesmari, has stressed that the blatant Turkish military intervention in Libya and its support for Al-Wefaq government’s militias since 2014 have thwarted all attempts to reach a political solution in Libya.He added during a press conference on Thursday that all the foreign agreements signed by the President of the Libyan Presidency Council, Fayez al-Sarraj, are illegal, explaining that the Presidency Council did not gain legitimacy from the Libyan Parliament.“Turkey is under the guise of agreeing with the so-called government of reconciliation to attack the Libyan people and their capabilities,” Al-Mesmari said. “The sovereignty and freedom of our homeland are in danger and we must fight,” he added.Al-Mismari also revealed that the number of Turkish military personnel in Libya is 1500, as well as other elements of security companies.He said, “Turkey is now preparing to transport 2,500 other special operations forces and commandos to Libya.”Al-Mesmari stated that “Turkey transferred approximately 17,000 of the young Syrian people who were deceived or from extremist groups to the Libyan lands.”He explained that during the last week alone, 34 flights were conducted between Istanbul on the one hand, and Tripoli and Misrata on the other hand.He also accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of transferring “terrorists and extremists” to Libya, urging the United Nations to incriminate him for his war crimes in the country and disrespect to the international law.
Source:Libya Today
May 21, 2020 16:07 UTC