Saudi Arabia Mulling Reopening its Embassy in Libya

The Saudi Foreign Ministry delegation in Tripoli. (Government of National Unity)
The Saudi Foreign Ministry delegation in Tripoli. (Government of National Unity)
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Saudi Arabia Mulling Reopening its Embassy in Libya

The Saudi Foreign Ministry delegation in Tripoli. (Government of National Unity)
The Saudi Foreign Ministry delegation in Tripoli. (Government of National Unity)

A Saudi delegation arrived in Libya to discuss the necessary arrangements for reopening the Kingdom’s embassy in Tripoli.

The delegation was led by Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Director General of the General Administration for Arab and African Countries Affairs Abdullah bin Fahd al-Shammari.

Director of the Administrative and Financial Affairs Department of the Libyan Foreign Ministry Rashid Abu Ghafah received the Saudi delegation on Sunday.

Abu Ghafah underscored the deep historic relations between their countries, reiterating that the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) is keen on boosting ties to broader horizons to achieve common interests.

The Saudi delegation's visit comes as Libya is preparing to hold presidential and parliamentary elections later this year.

Head of the Presidential Council Mohammed Menfi chaired on Sunday an expanded meeting at the headquarters of the High Electoral Commission in Tripoli. Menfi was accompanied by head of the GNU Abdulhamid al-Dbeibeh. Chairman of the commission, Imad al-Sayeh, was also present.

The meeting discussed the funding crisis of the upcoming elections, urging the joint 6 + 6 committee to finalize the electoral laws before the end of June.

The committee is represented by the House of Representatives and High Council of State and is tasked with providing the legal foundation for the elections and drafting electoral laws.

Menfi affirmed his full support for the commission and its presidency, stressing the importance of holding the elections this year.

Sayeh said the meeting comes within the framework of reviewing the commission's readiness for the elections and addressing its difficulties and challenges.

Furthermore, members of the High Council of State discussed the delegation's report to the 6 + 6 committee and the minutes of previous meetings.

Some members said the High Electoral Commission was not ready to hold the elections amid disagreements among officials over electoral laws.

In other news, Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush arrived in Qatar on Sunday on the second stop in a tour before the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

She met with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, praising Doha’s role in supporting the stability of Libya and the electoral process.

Mangoush visited Bahrain on Saturday as part of her tour to several countries ahead of the Jeddah summit. She is aiming to coordinate and support joint Arab efforts and positions on regional challenges, especially in Sudan.

The tour also seeks to garner Arab support for the elections in Libya and preserving consensus on supporting its stability.



GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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GCC Sec-Gen Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Extremist Minister

Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim worshippers walk in front of the Dome of the Rock ahead of Friday prayer in the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City February 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has strongly condemned the intrusion of an extremist minister from the Israeli occupation government into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to a press release issued by the GCC Secretariat General, Secretary General Albudaiwi stated that the continuation of these illegal practices in the Palestinian territories represents a blatant provocation of the feelings of Muslims around the world and a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
"This reflects the Israeli occupation forces' deliberate disregard for all international laws and humanitarian charters and threatens the security and stability of the region," he pointed out, SPA reported.
Albudaiwi affirmed that encroaching on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic holy sites and terrorising civilians has become a normal practice for the Israeli occupation government.
He stressed that this government does not respect international laws and regulations, does not believe in human rights, and pursues arrogant and inhumane policies that contradict the fundamental principles of justice and humanitarian values.

"This requires serious, prompt, and effective international action to guarantee the protection of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights."