Intermittent Clashes in Libyan Capital, UN Slams Threat to People's Lives

Smoke fumes rise above buildings in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, during shelling on May 9, 2020. (AFP Photo)
Smoke fumes rise above buildings in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, during shelling on May 9, 2020. (AFP Photo)
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Intermittent Clashes in Libyan Capital, UN Slams Threat to People's Lives

Smoke fumes rise above buildings in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, during shelling on May 9, 2020. (AFP Photo)
Smoke fumes rise above buildings in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, during shelling on May 9, 2020. (AFP Photo)

Clashes between the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, and forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, eased on Friday after two days of intense fighting at the majority of the frontlines around the capital, Tripoli.

Intermittent clashes was reported on Friday as the NATO said it is prepared to help the GNA in the area of "defense and security institution building", in response to a request by Sarraj to assist it to "strengthen its security institutions."

"Any NATO assistance to Libya would take account of political and security conditions, and would be provided in full complementarity and in close coordination with other international efforts, including those of the UN and the EU," said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a main backer of the GNA.

The GNA on Friday showed footage of an attack against a grad rocket launcher it claimed the LNA had used in an attack on Tripoli hospital and the capital's Tariq al-Soor neighborhood.

In a brief statement, the LNA said its artillery struck an ammunition depot in Ain Zara, south of Tripoli.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya said UN humanitarian agencies in Libya condemned all attacks that endangered the lives of civilians and prevented them from accessing life-saving services.

Acting UNSMIL special representative Stephanie Williams briefed on Thursday the International Follow-up Committee on Libya, convened under Italy's co-chairmanship. In a brief statement, it called on its members to "uphold the Berlin commitments to ensure an immediate cessation of hostilities, a resumption of the political process and alleviate the suffering of the civilian population."

It revealed that since the beginning of the year, 17 health facilities have been attacked in Libya.

Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, renewed on Thursday the organization's call for a ceasefire in Libya so that efforts can be focused on the fight against the novel coronavirus.



UN Lifts Sanctions on Yemen’s Ahmed Ali Saleh, Late Father

With the sanctions lifted, Ahmed Saleh can now travel and access his frozen assets, and his supporters hope he will play a key role in Yemen’s future (Local Media)
With the sanctions lifted, Ahmed Saleh can now travel and access his frozen assets, and his supporters hope he will play a key role in Yemen’s future (Local Media)
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UN Lifts Sanctions on Yemen’s Ahmed Ali Saleh, Late Father

With the sanctions lifted, Ahmed Saleh can now travel and access his frozen assets, and his supporters hope he will play a key role in Yemen’s future (Local Media)
With the sanctions lifted, Ahmed Saleh can now travel and access his frozen assets, and his supporters hope he will play a key role in Yemen’s future (Local Media)

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has removed the late Yemeni President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and his son Ahmed from its sanctions list, following efforts by Yemeni leaders with support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

This move is seen as part of a broader push by Saudi Arabia and the international community to bring peace to Yemen. These efforts aim to address the crisis through political, economic, social, and developmental measures.

The UN announced on Wednesday evening that its sanctions committee has removed Saleh and his son from the list, a decision made under Resolution 2140.

The UNSC had imposed sanctions on Saleh, his son Ahmed, and Houthi leaders following the Houthi coup against the government led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Supporters of the son of the late Yemeni president are pleased with the decision.

Saleh was killed in December 2017 after turning against the Houthis.

Meanwhile, Saleh’s nephew, Tariq Saleh, joined the legitimate government and now sits on the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).

Saleh’s son Ahmed served as commander of the Republican Guard and special forces during his father’s rule until he was removed from his position in 2013. He was then appointed as Yemen’s ambassador to the UAE where he has stayed after he was removed from his post.

With the sanctions lifted, he can now travel and access his frozen assets, and his supporters hope he will play a key role in Yemen’s future.

Tariq Saleh welcomed the UN decision to lift sanctions on his late uncle and his cousin, Ahmed. He thanked the PLC and the support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE in a post on X.

In addition, Yemeni state news agency Saba reported that Othman Majali, another member of the PLC, called Ahmed to congratulate him.

Majali praised the decision as a result of the PLC’s efforts and international support, and urged for unity to restore Yemen and overcome the Houthi insurgency.