US Pledges to Support Unity of Libyan Military

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X
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US Pledges to Support Unity of Libyan Military

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, and municipal leaders in the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya. Photo: Bathily's account on X

The United States has expressed continued support for efforts to unify the Libyan military.

During a visit this week to Misrata and Al Khoms, “the US Defense Attache delegation made productive visits to the Central Military Zone, Al Khoms naval base, and various important military and counterterrorism forces,” the US embassy to Libya said on X.

The statement expressed US appreciation to these forces’ strategic role and commitment to peace.

“We will continue to support efforts in all regions of Libya to promote enduring security, unify the Libyan military, and safeguard Libyan sovereignty,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Abdoulaye Bathily, met on Monday with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Libya Shimmura Izuru.

“We reviewed the current political, security, and economic landscape, and the challenges to advancing the political process, including forming a unified government,” Bathily said on X.

He also met with French Ambassador Mustafa Mihraj to discuss the latest political and security developments in Libya and the prospects for reviving the stalled political process.

“We also touched on the situation in neighboring countries and the possible impact on Libya,” Bathily said on X.

Furthermore, Bathily visited the Amazigh town of Jadu in western Libya and met with municipal leaders there.

“Throughout my visits to numerous cities, engaging with a variety of citizens and cultural groups, I’ve discerned a clear desire among the Libyan people to resolve this crisis and achieve stability. The responsibility for the current division in the country squarely lies with its political leaders,” Bathily stated.

“Given that electoral laws are in place, the time is now ripe for a political settlement and the formation of a unified government to lead the country until elections are completed. I urge you, as Amazigh municipal leaders, to engage with national leaders to find a solution to the Libyan crisis,” he added.



UN General Assembly Asks Court to Say What Israel Needs to Provide in Gaza

The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File
The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File
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UN General Assembly Asks Court to Say What Israel Needs to Provide in Gaza

The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File
The UN General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council due to political concerns. JOHN ANGELILLO / POOL/AFP/File

The UN General Assembly approved a resolution Thursday asking the UN’s highest court to state what Israel’s obligations are in Gaza and the West Bank to provide humanitarian assistance essential for the survival of Palestinian civilians.
The vote on the Norwegian-sponsored resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice was 137-12, with 22 abstentions. The United States, Israel's closest ally, voted against the resolution.
Resolutions in the 193-member General Assembly are not legally binding, though they do reflect world opinion, The Associated Press said.
It follows the ICJ’s condemnation of Israel’ s rule over lands it captured 57 years ago. In a nonbinding opinion in July, the court said Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called on Israel to end its occupation and halt settlement construction immediately.
Thursday's resolution also follows Israeli laws passed in late October, which take effect in 90 days, that effectively ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, from operating in the Palestinian territories.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed that no other UN agency can take on UNRWA's role, and a UN spokesman reiterated Thursday that under international law, as the occupying power, Israel would be responsible for fulfilling the basic needs of Palestinians if UNRWA is banned.
Norway’s deputy foreign minister, Andreas Kravik, told reporters that the international community has a responsibility to react to tens of thousands of deaths in Gaza and virtually the entire population experiencing acute hunger, and some near famine.
He said many countries, the UN and its agencies, and aid organizations are ready to step up their humanitarian efforts but the problem is “there’s a lack of access.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the assembly before the vote that its members were debating “the same recycled nonsense, where all that matters is attacking Israel and challenge its right to protect its citizens.”
“This time the Palestinians are using a new tool in this diplomatic circus: the International Court of Justice,” he said.
The resolution demands that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including by the UN's top court.
It expresses concern about the Israeli legislation on UNRWA and Israeli measures to impede assistance to the Palestinians.
The resolution seeks the ICJ’s guidance on additional questions about its July ruling, including what Israel's obligations are “to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population.”