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Libya: Clashes Erupt South of Tripoli Violating Ceasefire Deal

Smoke rises during heavy clashes between rival factions in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)
Smoke rises during heavy clashes between rival factions in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)
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Libya: Clashes Erupt South of Tripoli Violating Ceasefire Deal

Smoke rises during heavy clashes between rival factions in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)
Smoke rises during heavy clashes between rival factions in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)

Heavy clashes erupted Thursday in the Libyan capital violating the ceasefire deal, only to subside on Friday morning amid reports on the mobilization of troops of Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar and forces loyal to Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

LNA advanced towards Tripoli as GNA forces retreated, a high-ranking military official told Asharq Al-Awsat in a brief statement.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the army forces managed during the past two days to thwart militia defenses in several areas of the capital, especially in its southern suburbs, but declined to reveal more details.

Heavy clashes erupted between the forces of the two parties near the diplomatic club in Ain Zara axis in southern Tripoli.

Two top officials of forces loyal to GNA stated they monitored LNA forces mobilizing in the areas of Qasr bin Ghashir, Tarhunah, and Sorman, adding that they transported artillery from al-Jafra airbase towards Tripoli.

Volcano of Rage Operation, launched by militias loyal to the GNA, indicated that LNA forces bombed the homes and properties of citizens, as worshipers went out for Friday prayers in the town of Abu Salim.

GNA Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha pledged the ministry’s full support to the forces to liberate the entire country from LNA's "illegal militias".

In a statement, the minister said he was confident the government and supporting forces would fully liberate all areas.

Bashagha was visiting Sirte – al-Jufrah field operations room where he met with military officials and head of the operations room to discuss recent developments in the region and preparations to liberate the areas.

Meanwhile, Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the recent developments of the Libyan crisis in the wake of the resignation of the UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame.

Aboul-Gheit discussed, over the phone, Salame’s resignation and conveyed to Guterres his sincere appreciation for the important role he has played for Libya's peace and stability. He expressed confidence in the UN to choose another distinguished Arab figure to succeed Salame and lead UNSMIL.

Guterres praised the Arab League’s firm commitment to settling the Libyan crisis, stressing that the UN will continue to build on the efforts launched by Salame, according to a source.

Aboul-Gheit said they discussed the Libyan developments after Saleme’s sudden resignation citing health issues, noting that he briefed Guterres on the results of the last ministerial meeting of the Arab League.

Arab countries are committed to helping settle the Libyan crisis by strengthening mechanisms of cooperation with the UN and continuing to coordinate with other partners concerned with Libyan affairs, asserted Aboul-Gheit.

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Lebanon Returns 70 Officers and Soldiers to Syria, Security Official Says

A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)
A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)
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Lebanon Returns 70 Officers and Soldiers to Syria, Security Official Says

A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)
A member of the security forces of the newly formed Syrian government inspects vehicles at a security checkpoint on the Syrian border with Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP)

Lebanon expelled around 70 Syrian officers and soldiers on Saturday, returning them to Syria after they crossed into the country illegally via informal routes, a Lebanese security official and a war monitor said.

Many senior Syrian officials and people close to the former ruling family of Bashar al-Assad fled the country to neighboring Lebanon after Assad's regime was toppled on Dec 8.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based organization with sources in Syria, and the Lebanese security official said Syrian military personnel of various ranks had been sent back via Lebanon's northern Arida crossing.

SOHR and the security official said the returnees were detained by Syria's new ruling authorities after crossing the border.

The new administration has been undertaking a major security crackdown in recent days on what they say are "remnants" of the Assad regime.

Several of the cities and towns concerned, including in Homs and Tartous provinces, are near the porous border with Lebanon.

The Lebanese security official said the Syrian officers and soldiers were found in a truck in the northern coastal city of Jbeil after an inspection by local officials.

Lebanese and Syrian government officials did not immediately respond to written requests for comment on the incident.

Reuters reported on Friday that Rifaat al-Assad, an uncle of Assad charged in Switzerland with war crimes over the bloody suppression of a revolt in 1982, had flown out of Beirut recently, as had "many members" of the Assad family.

Earlier this month, Lebanese caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said top Assad adviser Bouthaina Shaaban had flown out of Beirut after entering Lebanon legally.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Mawlawi said other Syrian officials had entered Lebanon illegally and were being pursued.