Libya: LNA Says in Control of Southern Border Areas

LNA leader Khalifa Haftar. Reuters file photo
LNA leader Khalifa Haftar. Reuters file photo
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Libya: LNA Says in Control of Southern Border Areas

LNA leader Khalifa Haftar. Reuters file photo
LNA leader Khalifa Haftar. Reuters file photo

The Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar is now in control of border areas with Algeria, Chad and Niger as part of its operation to clear southern Libyan territories from terrorists and criminals, the LNA announced on Friday.

Members of LNA's Tariq Bin Ziad battalion said their forces have gained full control of the joint border areas with Algeria, Chad and Niger after the escape of members of the Chadian opposition.

The LNA media office said the army entered the area of Umm al-Araneb amid a huge welcome by the area’s residents.

LNA’s major gains this week came after weeks of advances as part of a campaign to secure the country’s lawless south.

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte thanked the United Arab Emirates after the head of Libya’s Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj, and Haftar agreed in UN-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi to reform Libya's constitution and hold national elections.

“There can’t be any progress in Libya unless the two sides reach an agreement,” Conte said.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who met his Libyan counterpart Fathi Bashaga in Rome, also said that there should not be any interference on setting the date for the elections.



UK Police Arrest Two Men over Alleged Hezbollah Links

A protester holding a flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah during a demonstration in Istanbul, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. AP Photo/Emrah Gurel
A protester holding a flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah during a demonstration in Istanbul, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. AP Photo/Emrah Gurel
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UK Police Arrest Two Men over Alleged Hezbollah Links

A protester holding a flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah during a demonstration in Istanbul, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. AP Photo/Emrah Gurel
A protester holding a flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah during a demonstration in Istanbul, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. AP Photo/Emrah Gurel

British counter-terrorism police said on Thursday they had arrested two men accused of being linked to the banned group Hezbollah, saying their investigation involved alleged activity both overseas and in Britain.

Detectives from London's Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) arrested a 39-year-old man in north London on suspicion of being a member of a proscribed group, preparing acts of terrorism and being involved in funding for the purposed of terrorism, Reuters said.

A second man, 35, was arrested in west London on suspicion of being a member of a banned organization.

"Our investigation remains ongoing, but I hope that these arrests show we will take robust action against anyone here whom we suspect as being involved in terrorist activity regardless of whether their activity is focused here in the UK or elsewhere," said commander Dominic Murphy, head of the CTC.

Police said the investigation related to the Iran-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah which Britain outlawed in 2019 when it classified it as a terrorist group. There was no immediate threat to the public, they said.

The two men were released on police bail until mid-July.