GCC Welcomes Truce Announcement in Libya

Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar, parliament Speaker Saleh and GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj attend an international congress on Libya at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2018. (AFP)
Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar, parliament Speaker Saleh and GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj attend an international congress on Libya at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2018. (AFP)
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GCC Welcomes Truce Announcement in Libya

Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar, parliament Speaker Saleh and GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj attend an international congress on Libya at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2018. (AFP)
Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar, parliament Speaker Saleh and GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj attend an international congress on Libya at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2018. (AFP)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has welcomed a ceasefire announcement in Libya, the UAE news agency WAM reported on Saturday.

GCC Secretary General Nayef al-Hajraf called on all parties "to adhere to (this) constructive step, to urgently engage in political dialogue, and to work through mediation of the United Nations to reach a permanent and comprehensive solution to end the fighting and conflict in Libya," WAM reported.

Speaker of the east-based Libyan parliament, Aguila Saleh, appealed for a halt to hostilities and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord announced the ceasefire on Friday.



UAE Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security and Sovereignty

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
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UAE Underscores Support for Lebanon’s Security and Sovereignty

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, stand for a photograph before a meeting at Al Shati Palace, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 30, 2025. Abdulla Al Bedwawi /UAE Presidential Court/Handout via REUTERS

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has underscored his country’s support for Lebanon’s security, stability and sovereignty, a joint statement said Thursday.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The statement said that the UAE President expressed hope that the visit would deepen the fraternal relations between the two countries and advance their shared interests and aspirations for progress and prosperity.

Sheikh Mohamed said he was keen to work jointly with Lebanon to foster development, prosperity, security, and regional stability.

According to the statement, Aoun stressed he was ready to continue strengthening bilateral relations.

The two sides discussed ways to foster bilateral relations in various fields, and to develop economic and investment sectors, through joint opportunities, knowledge exchange, and government development.

The UAE’s Government Experience Exchange Office of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs will visit Beirut to share best practices in government performance and institutional excellence to benefit both countries’ public and private sectors, said the statement.

The two sides also agreed to allow travel for citizens by implementing necessary procedures and mechanisms to ease movement between the two countries.

Both sides expressed their aspiration to raise the level of mutual diplomatic representation and agreed to establish a joint UAE-Lebanon Business Council. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development will send a delegation to Lebanon to explore and assess available joint cooperation projects.

Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed Lebanon’s strategic importance within the Arab world, affirming that Lebanon is a key pillar of joint Arab action.