Headlines Libya

Libya: UN Chief Defends Choice for Salam Fayyad as UNSMIL Head, Israel Rejoices at U.S. Objection

UN Chief has defended the choice of former Palestinian Premier Salam Fayyad as Head of UN Special Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) following objection by the US in the Security Council to confirm the Palestinian’s appointment. Friday, UN Chief Antonio Guterres was taken aback after Trump administration envoy to the UN Nikki Haley blocked the Security […]

Europe Headlines Libya

EU Seeks Russia’s Help to Broker Deal with Gen Haftar

European Diplomats are seeking Russia’s help to use its clout over Libya’s strongman General Haftar, who command the Tobruk-based Libyan National Army (LNA), to broker a deal that will bring rival Libyan factions under the civilian command of the UN-backed government of national accord (GNA), set up in December 2015. The European lead nation on […]

Headlines Libya

Libya: Khalifa Ghwell-aligned forces launch ‘National Guard’ in Tripoli to protect state institutions

Chaos is festering in capital Tripoli as forces aligned with self-style Khalifa Ghwell announced Thursday the creation of the Libyan National Guard (LNG) to protect institutions and foreign missions. The announcement came from Brig. Mahmoud Al-Zigal who indicated that the LNG is not linked to any political party and would operate away from regional, tribal […]

Headlines Libya

Libya: Former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to replace Kobler

Former Palestinian Premier Salam Fayyad has been rumoured to replace Martin Kobler at the helm of UN Special Mission in Libya. A leaked letter by the UN Chief Antonio Guterres to the UN Security Council dated February 8 went viral on social media announcing the appointment of the Palestinian official, Libya Herald reports. The Libyan […]

Headlines Libya

Libya: ‘PC Re-composition Fitting Haftar in the Pipeline,’ Kobler

Head of the UN Special Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Martin Kobler Wednesday indicated that consensus to readapt the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) and to modify the Presidential Council (PC) in order to fit Khalifa Haftar is being reached. The political crisis has reached a deadlock with the UN-backed Faiez Serraj-led PC and Government of National […]

Africa Features International

Maghreb-Sahel: Exodus of IS Fighters from Conflict Zones, UN Warns

The United Nations warned Maghreb and Sahel countries of the relocation of Islamic State fighters fleeing defeats in Iraq, Syria and Libya. “There are great risks that these jihadists join sleeping cells of al Qaida, and settle in the Maghreb and in the Sahel,” the UN said in a report. Moroccan Arabic media Akhbar Al […]

Headlines Morocco

Morocco: Three Suspects Connected to IS Cell Busted in el Jadida Arrested

Three additional terrorist suspects reportedly connected to the seven-member Islamic State group cell dismantled in El Jadida, Salé and other localities late January have been nabbed. The interior ministry Monday announced the arrest of the three men following investigations in the busted cell. The suspects were pinned down at Martil and Boulaâouane close to the […]

Headlines Tunisia

Tunisia: Army Receives Six US Helicopters to Beef up Anti-Terror Fight

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed Saturday inspected six new US-made helicopters delivered to Tunisia to further the army’s capacity to fight terrorism and secure border with neighboring Libya. The warships, OH-58D Kiowa type, are a first batch of 24 aircrafts deal signed with the US military cooperation agency (DSCA) in May last year. The deal is […]

Headlines Libya

Libya: Haftar Hopes for a Russia-US Coalition to Ouster Terrorists

Libyan field Marshal Khalifa Haftar told French media Journal du Dimanche (JDD) Sunday he hoped President Donald Trumps would join President Vladimir Putin in supporting his army in the fight against terrorists in Libya. “If Russia and the United States come together in order to stamp out terrorism that can help us. We are going […]

Africa International

AMU Paralysis: King’s Speech before AU Sounds the Alarm

The speech delivered by King Mohammed VI before the Heads of State attending the 28th African Union Summit rang the alarm bell as to the state of immobility affecting the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU.) The situation of AMU actually stands in stark contrast to the dynamism characterizing other sub-regional groupings such as the Economic Community […]