Protests in Tripoli to Demand End of Transitional Phase

Protesters in Tripoli’s Martyrs Square on Friday. Asharq Al-Awsat
Protesters in Tripoli’s Martyrs Square on Friday. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Protests in Tripoli to Demand End of Transitional Phase

Protesters in Tripoli’s Martyrs Square on Friday. Asharq Al-Awsat
Protesters in Tripoli’s Martyrs Square on Friday. Asharq Al-Awsat

Libyan demonstrators protested in Tripoli’s Martyrs Square on Friday, demanding the unity of state institutions and the termination of the transitional phase by holding a referendum before elections.

The protest was organized by a group of young Libyans under the title “March 30 Movement.” Hundreds began appearing in the square on Thursday evening to take part in Friday's protests.

As protest calls for the sake of changing the “political map” circulated on social networks, the official page of Al-Jazeera urged Libyans to demonstrate in the square.

On its Facebook page, the movement announced that it received security approval from the Security Directorate in Tripoli to protest peacefully in the square based on agreed demands and objectives.

“It is time to resort to the streets and unite through peaceful protest, to demand our rights and put an end to our suffering,” said the movement.

The protest, which coincided with the second anniversary of Chairman of the Presidential Council Fayez Sarraj’s entrance to Tripoli in line with the Skhirat Agreement, was preceded by several arrangements including preparing unified posters in the square and distributing white caps to the protesters.

Local media reports said that some figures close to the Islamic movement in Libya are promoting for the movement for the sake of changing the country’s “political map.”

Libyan journalist Hussein Masouri stated to Asharq Al-Awsat that the movement’s demands represent the majority of Libyans except for the referendum on the constitution.

UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame is seeking to organize elections in Libya by September.

In his latest remarks to the Security Council, he said efforts are underway to hold just and free elections by the end of the year.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
TT

US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.