عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Libya’s GNU Pledges to Reconstruct Flood-Ravaged Derna

People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)
People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)
TT
TT

Libya’s GNU Pledges to Reconstruct Flood-Ravaged Derna

People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)
People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)

Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, the head of Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), pledged on Tuesday to rebuild the flood-affected areas in the east of the country.

He said his government is capable of completing the reconstruction works in Derna and the rest of the al-Jebal al-Akhdar cities in the east of the country, where a hurricane-strength storm lashed the area on September 10, devastating entire neighborhoods and sweeping thousands of people into the sea.

Dbeibah also underscored the importance to tackling the psychological repercussions of the affected population.

Speaking at a conference on mental health and psychotherapy in Tripoli, he said the country “has experienced very difficult circumstances, and previous governments neglected psychological support.”

On Monday, Dbeibah met with the UK Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, James Hebbey, to review Libyan-British cooperation on training and the fight against terrorism.

Meanwhile, head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi called for the formation of a post-disaster management team to deal with the aftermath of the floods.

During a meeting of the National Planning Council, he said the team should include experts and specialists in various fields to deal with the current situation in Libya and take appropriate and rapid decisions.

Also in Tripoli, Menfi’s two deputies, Moussa al-Kouni and Abdullah Lafi said they discussed with US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland and Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne Witkowsky the latest developments in Libya and ways to develop cooperation mechanisms between Tripoli and Washington in many areas, especially in holding elections, and achieving reconciliation and development.

Separately, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) on coordination and cooperation in managing and securing Libyan borders and in fighting against border crimes and terrorism.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Temporary Ceasefire Call Marks Victory for Beirut Efforts

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
TT
TT

Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Temporary Ceasefire Call Marks Victory for Beirut Efforts

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 26, 2024 (AFP)

Lebanese political and diplomatic activity is intensifying after the release of an “international-Arab call” for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
“The key lies in implementation,” Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat, describing the call itself “a victory for Lebanon’s efforts.”
Berri highlighted the role of major players, especially the US, in convincing Israel to accept the ceasefire.
He pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “says one thing and its opposite,” while stressing that Lebanon is committed to the call’s principles and ready to act.
“There is no problem on the Lebanese side, as the international joint statement addressed both Gaza and Lebanon together,” Berri stressed.
A Lebanese source involved in negotiations at the UN indicated that the obstinacy of both Israel and Hezbollah had blocked a proposed solution.

Now, efforts are focused on establishing a temporary ceasefire to allow for negotiations regarding the crisis that erupted when Hezbollah, backed by Iran, engaged with Israel to support Gaza.
The source explained that the proposed solution involved a new UN resolution to reinforce Resolution 1701, effective since the end of the 2006 Lebanon War.
However, Hezbollah’s insistence on linking a ceasefire in Gaza to this proposal and Israel’s refusal to do so thwarted the plan.
The source expressed hope for a three-week temporary ceasefire, with negotiations led by US envoy Amos Hochstein between Beirut and Tel Aviv.
In New York, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held diplomatic discussions aimed at stopping the Israeli offensive against Lebanon, engaging with European and Arab officials during his visit.
Reports suggested that Mikati had “signed a proposed ceasefire agreement” after meeting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and mediator Amos Hochstein.
However, the Prime Minister’s office denied these claims, asserting that they are “entirely untrue.”
The office reminded the public of Mikati’s remarks after the joint call initiated by the US and France, supported by the European Union and several countries, aimed at establishing a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon.
“We welcome the statement, but the crucial factor lies in Israel's commitment to implementing international resolutions,” said Mikati.
New York Meetings
Mikati met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who outlined Cyprus’s efforts to support Lebanon and facilitate a ceasefire, including his talks with Netanyahu.
The Lebanese premier also discussed the situation in Lebanon and the region with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, highlighting Britain’s efforts to stop the fighting.
Additionally, Mikati met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, thanking Qatar for its support of Lebanon, particularly for its backing of the Lebanese army.
The Qatari Prime Minister briefed Mikati on ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and Qatar’s role in the international committee working to elect a new president for Lebanon.