Libya's Speaker, Greek FM Discuss Activating Cairo Initiative

Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
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Libya's Speaker, Greek FM Discuss Activating Cairo Initiative

Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)

The speaker of the eastern-based Libyan parliament, Aguila Saleh, received Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and discussed the repercussions of the Libyan crisis and bilateral relations.

Saleh's adviser Hamid al-Safi indicated that the meeting addressed the relations between the two countries, the situation in Libya and the region, and ways to end the Libyan crisis.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdul-Hadi al-Hawaij, as well as Dendias’ accompanying delegation.

The two sides also discussed Aguila’s recent initiative to form a new presidential council, consisting of a president and two deputies from the three historical regions of Libya.

Safi explained that Greece is pushing towards the implementation of the “Cairo initiative,” stressing Libya's right to defend itself against any invasion targeting its territory and sovereignty.

The Libyan official pointed out that Greece stresses that the international law and international maritime law are the only references to resolve disputes with Turkey and delineate maritime areas in the Mediterranean.

He criticized the unconstitutional agreement concluded between head of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the demarcation of the maritime border between the two countries.

The Greek FM welcomed the Cairo initiative, adding that his country supports any political solution to end the crisis in Libya.

Dendias renewed his country's condemnation of the Turkish invasion, stressing that the presence of foreign forces in Libya violates international laws and will hinder any possible solution.

He expressed his firm belief that there is an opportunity for a solution to the crisis after all foreign forces left Libyan territories, especially Turkey.

The Greek FM stated that the agreement between Sarraj and Erdogan is “void” because it was not approved by the parliament, as the only recognized legislative authority in Libya.

The meeting also discussed the depth of historical relations between the two countries and concluded with an agreement to establish a Greek consulate in Libya, according to Safi.

The Greek Foreign Ministry issued a statement noting that the visit is an opportunity to agree on dealing with the Libyan crisis, based on “the Berlin Process and also the very interesting initiative from Egyptian President el-Sisi.”

“Aguila Saleh and I agreed that Libya’s future requires the withdrawal of all foreign forces. This is a necessary condition for peace and stability,” according to the statement.

The statement also stressed that Turkey has historical responsibilities for what is happening in Libya, noting that importing mercenaries from Syria and the violation of the arms embargo are elements that weigh on the Turkish stance.

The two also discussed “the possibility for a Greek Consulate to operate in Benghazi, which would facilitate trade transactions,” according to the statement that also pointed out Libya's will to replace Turkish products with other goods that come from Europe, especially Greece.

Greek diplomatic sources pointed out that the visit was part of Athens' continuous efforts to contribute to the ceasefire and find a political solution in Libya, within the framework of the United Nations Security Council and the Berlin conference.



Body of Mohammed Sinwar Identified

Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
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Body of Mohammed Sinwar Identified

Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters

Israeli authorities said on Sunday they identified the body of Hamas' military chief Mohammed al-Sinwar that was earlier retrieved from a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, following a targeted operation last month.

Al-Sinwar is the chief commander of Hamas's military wing and the younger brother of slain Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar.

“The body of al-Sinwar, is now in Israeli custody,” the Israeli army confirmed Sunday following a completed identification process, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Authorities gave no further details about the other bodies found in the interconnected tunnel complex.

Earlier, the Israeli Radio channel said the bodies of 10 other Palestinian Hamas members and leaders were recovered from the tunnel.

The bodies were recovered during a special military operation.

“The Israeli military released footage showing the underground infrastructure beneath the hospital, including a command-and-control center reportedly used by senior Hamas commanders to direct combat operations,” Yedioth Ahronoth said.

It added that the operation began last Wednesday evening. Prior to the raid, the hospital had been evacuated.

Later, the government media office in Gaza denied the Israeli military claims that the tunnel was found beneath the European Hospital.

The office said the video released by the Israeli army shows a narrow metal pipe that cannot fit a person, has no stairs or equipment and is located in an area used for rainwater drainage.

It also said the Israeli forces dug the site themselves and staged the footage near the hospital’s emergency department, which remains crowded with patients.

On May 21, two Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Sinwar was killed alongside other Hamas figures in an Israeli airstrike on an underground tunnel near the European Hospital east of Khan Younis.

One source said the bodies were moved from one tunnel to another for temporary burial. “They were buried underground due to security concerns,” the source added.

“Hamas informed the families that the remains were not brought above ground and are expected to remain buried in the tunnels until the security situation allows for proper funerals,” the sources said.

A second source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Qassam Brigades special units entered the collapsed tunnel after the bombing and recovered several bodies.

The source said the method used to retrieve the bodies mirrored that of previous operations, including the recovery of senior Hamas officials Rawhi Mushtaha and Sameh al-Siraj, whose deaths were also confirmed posthumously.