Libyan House of Representatives Urges End to Widespread Arms Chaos

A session of the Libyan House of Representatives (Libyan House of Representatives)
A session of the Libyan House of Representatives (Libyan House of Representatives)
TT

Libyan House of Representatives Urges End to Widespread Arms Chaos

A session of the Libyan House of Representatives (Libyan House of Representatives)
A session of the Libyan House of Representatives (Libyan House of Representatives)

The Libyan House of Representatives is urging an end to the widespread presence of weapons across the country following recent clashes in Al-Jumail city, near Tripoli. They’ve called for the immediate removal of all armed groups from the city, except for the regular police and army.

The situation worsened after clashes between armed groups from outside Al-Jumail, leaving at least one dead and nine injured.

The House emphasized the need to stop unauthorized armed presence in all Libyan cities, condemning attacks on citizens and state institutions in Al-Jumail.

In the meantime, Libya’s Government of National Unity reported that its leader, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, held separate meetings with the ambassadors of Iran and South Korea to Libya.

They discussed cooperation opportunities with their respective countries.

According to Dbeibeh’s office on Thursday evening, the Iranian ambassador expressed Iran’s interest in hosting the 13th session of the Iran-Libya Joint High Committee in Tehran.

They also talked about organizing an exhibition and economic forum for Iranian industries in Libya, as well as cooperation in nuclear medicine and other medical fields.

Dbeibeh expressed willingness to work together with Iran in various areas and to organize the joint committee meeting between the two countries.

As for his meeting in Tripoli with South Korea’s Ambassador, his assistant, and the economic advisor, Dbeibeh discussed the comeback of Korean companies to finish ongoing projects and start new ones across Libya’s cities and regions.

Dbeibeh and the South Korean officials praised Hyundai’s return to Libya, restarting work on a power station project near Tripoli after a 10-year pause. This move was seen as a positive sign of big companies returning to Libya, aiding its development needs.

Dbeibeh emphasized the need to tackle challenges facing Korean companies in all sectors and suggested organizing an economic and industrial forum for them in Libya to foster partnerships between both countries’ private sectors.



UN's Humanitarian Affairs Agency Ramps Up Preparations to Provide Aid to Gaza

Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
TT

UN's Humanitarian Affairs Agency Ramps Up Preparations to Provide Aid to Gaza

Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The UN’s humanitarian affairs agency says it has ratcheted up its preparations for providing aid to Gaza after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect.

Muhannad Hadi, the agency’s humanitarian coordinator for the territory, said Saturday the United Nations and its partners are ready to leverage the opportunity for large-scale relief, The Associated Press reported.

Hadi referenced in a statement the agreements reached on implementing humanitarian components in the first phase of the ceasefire, including the provision of supplies “including water, food, health and shelter to people across Gaza and the long-awaited release of hostages.”

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to go into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Sunday, mediator Qatar said. It will pause the fighting after 15 months of war and see the release of dozens of hostages held by the militants in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.