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UN Security Council Discusses Bathily's Mediation Efforts in Libya

UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily (UNSMIL)
UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily (UNSMIL)
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UN Security Council Discusses Bathily's Mediation Efforts in Libya

UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily (UNSMIL)
UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily (UNSMIL)

The UN Security Council will hold its bi-monthly briefing on the situation in Libya, during which UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily will brief the Security Council on the recent political, security, and humanitarian developments.

The session will also address the Secretary-General's latest report on the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

The Security Council Report website, which follows UN news, stated that the goal of the Security Council is to support the political momentum and UN-led mediation efforts towards national elections and forming a unified government.

The Council's objectives related to Libya also focus on helping foster common political ground between the country's rival legislatures to agree on electoral law, a goal that Bathily has repeatedly urged Council members to support by wielding their influence on national stakeholders.

At December's meeting, members may reiterate their call on Libyan actors to engage in good-faith negotiations to achieve consensus on outstanding political issues.

The rival governments had initially expressed their intent to finalize legislation to hold elections by the end of the year.

Furthermore, some members may welcome Bathily's proposed meeting of institutional stakeholders and urge them to participate in these discussions productively.

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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.