Saudi FM Calls for Unity of Libyan Territories

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Calls for Unity of Libyan Territories

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks at the fourth session of the second legislative term of the Arab Parliament in Cairo. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has called for preserving the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and regional sovereignty.

In his speech before the Arab Parliament in Cairo on Wednesday, he noted that the Arab region is undergoing changes and challenges that impact the security, economic and political aspects.

The Kingdom continues to call on our Libyan brothers to show restraint and put the higher interest of the country above everything by preserving the unity and integrity of the Libyan territories and regional sovereignty in addition to establishing a real national dialogue leading to a comprehensive peace among all parties, Prince Faisal added.

The minister outlined the political, economic and security challenges facing many Arab countries, and called on Arab states to take action in order to consolidate stability and development.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia’s policy is based on the principles of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty and independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and solving disputes by peaceful means within international law.

Meanwhile, Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh stressed the importance of providing Arab support to the Libyans and activating the Treaty of Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation of the League of Arab States since it is the only solution.

Saleh asked the Arab Parliament to withdraw its recognition of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) presidential council due to its violation of the constitutional declaration and the political agreement of Skhirat.

President of the Arab Parliament Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm al-Salami has warned of the danger of aggressive plans by countries to revive their colonial ambitions via forming militias and proxies inside Arab societies and dispatching forces that violate the sovereignty of Arab states.

Salami said that rapid developments in the Arab world had reached dangerous levels, in light of conflicts and external interference in some Arab countries, and the threat this posed to security.

In the concluding statement, he welcomed the announcement of the recent ceasefire, calling on all parties to abide by it to help reach a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.

He also stressed the parliament’s rejection of the decision issued by the Turkish Parliament regarding sending military forces to Libya, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the supply of weapons to Libya.



Syrian Police Impose Curfew in Homs after Unrest

Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Syrian Police Impose Curfew in Homs after Unrest

Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Syrian police have imposed an overnight curfew in the city of Homs, state media reported, after unrest there linked to demonstrations that residents said were led by members of the minority Alawite and Shiite communities.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the demands of the demonstrators nor the degree of disturbance that took place.

Some residents said the demonstrations were linked to pressure and violence in recent days aimed at members of the Alawite minority, a sect long seen as loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled by opposition fighters on Dec. 8.

Spokespeople for Syria’s new ruling administration led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the curfew.

State media said the curfew was being imposed for one night, from 6pm (1500 GMT) local time until 8am on Thursday morning.

The country's new leaders have repeatedly vowed to protect minority religious groups.

Small demonstrations also took place in other areas on or near Syria’s coast, where most of the country’s Alawite minority live, including in the city of Tartous.

The demonstrations took place around the time an undated video was circulated on social networks showing a fire inside an Alawite shrine in the city of Aleppo, with armed men walking around inside and posing near human bodies.

The interior ministry said on its official Telegram account that the video dated back to the opposition offensive on Aleppo in late November and the violence was carried out by unknown groups, adding that whoever was circulating the video now appeared to be seeking to incite sectarian strife.

The ministry also said that some members of the former regime had attacked interior ministry forces in Syria’s coastal area on Wednesday, leaving a number of dead and wounded.