First Independent Mena Newspaper
The United Nations support mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the meeting that took place on Tuesday, January 12, in Brega, the Libyan eastern port city, between the finance ministers of the two rival parties. An agreement for a unified budget for 2021 was reached at this meeting. A joint financial commission composed of experts from […]
The visit to Ankara last Sunday by the Libyan Defense Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) has sparked a strong reaction in the Libyan east, which accuses Turkey of seeking to derail the Geneva political agreement. According to a statement by the Turkish Defense Ministry, the meeting between the two counterparts aims […]
Libya’s internationally recognized administration, GNA, and its east-based rival, led by rebel Gen. Khalifa Haftar, exchanged Wednesday at least 35 prisoners under the supervision of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission. Commission member Mukhtar Naqasa said 27 prisoners from Haftar’s forces were swapped with eight soldiers held by GNA forces. The operation took place in […]
Armed clashes erupted between forces of UN-backed Government of National and those of rebel Gen. Khalifa Haftar Sunday in south Libya putting at stake a frail ceasefire, Libya Observer reports. Sources told the media the clashes occurred when Sabha military zone officers of the GNA gathered to read out a congratulatory statement on Libya’s Independence […]
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at a press conference in Moscow following a meeting with his Libyan counterpart, Mohamed Siala, promised to give them maximum support for the peace efforts under way in Libya. During the press conference Lavrov warned against resumption of hostilities in Libya, referring to a recent call to war by east-based strongman […]
UN-backed Government of National Accord, GNA, Wednesday said it asked Russia to assist in the evacuation of foreign fighters in Libya. Foreign Minister Mohamed Taha Siala made the announcement during a joint press conference with his Russian host and counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. “We asked for Moscow’s assistance to evacuate foreign fighters from Libya. […]
France has asked Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of eastern Libya, to “refrain from any resumption of hostilities” and to “focus” on the search for a political solution. “There is no military solution in Libya. The priority is to implement the ceasefire agreement of 23 October 2020, which provides for the departure of foreign forces […]
A top Egyptian delegation met Sunday in Tripoli with members of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), an unprecedented meeting, seeking re-establish ties between the two countries. The delegation included security and diplomatic officials headed by deputy chief of intelligence and head of Libya file at the Egyptian Presidency Ayman Badie, Libya Observer reports. […]
Haftar and Turkey traded warnings over the weekend threatening to sap the UN-led peace efforts to end the infighting and political divisions in the oil-rich country. During his visit to Libya, Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey’s forces in Libya will retaliate against any attack by rebel general Khalifa Haftar. “A war criminal and […]
Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Faiez Serraj has proposed to his rival of opposed administration, Khalifa Haftar to name a transitional Prime Minister as UN-led reconciliation efforts between Libyans wane. Serraj, according to Italian newspaper la Republica, used Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte to deliver proposal to the Field Marshall. Conte, accompanied by foreign minister […]