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International Anticipation of LNA’s Stance on Ceasefire

A plane flies over Mitiga airport following clashes, in Tripoli, Libya, January 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
A plane flies over Mitiga airport following clashes, in Tripoli, Libya, January 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
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International Anticipation of LNA’s Stance on Ceasefire

A plane flies over Mitiga airport following clashes, in Tripoli, Libya, January 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
A plane flies over Mitiga airport following clashes, in Tripoli, Libya, January 15, 2018. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny

International and local circles are awaiting the response of Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar to the ceasefire announced by Head of Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and Speaker of the east-based Libyan parliament Aguila Saleh.

Sources close to the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Haftar is expected to soon announce a conditional approval.

Haftar, however, wonders about the fate of military agreements signed between Turkey and the GNA, in addition to the fate of ‘several thousands of mercenaries’ recruited by Ankara in the past months, the sources added.

They further revealed that secret talks were held between Saleh and Sarraj before their statements on committing to the truce and proposals to handle the oil issue and the placement of Sirte under US-UN protection.

The sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that the US side presented guarantees on Turkish withdrawal from the country.

Saleh on Friday hailed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s “brave” stance after a comprehensive ceasefire was announced by conflicting parties in Libya. Saleh praised Sisi’s efforts that he said aimed at achieving stability in Libya.

Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee of the Libyan House of Representatives Talal al-Mayhoub considered that any peace talks would go in vain before dissolving the militias and the withdrawal of Turks and their affiliated mercenaries.

For its part, Libya's State Supreme Council reiterated unwillingness to hold talks with Haftar and demanded that Skheirat Agreement be the reference to any upcoming political dialogue.

Permanent Rep. of Libya to the UN Taher EL-Sonni wondered in a tweet if the party that waged the war, supported, and blessed it then got defeated would respect the ceasefire. Sonni stressed that any maneuvers or new threats would not be tolerated.

NA Spokesman Col.Mohammed Qanounou addressed the government’s supporters as he affirmed that the GNA intends to hand over Libyan territories, stressing that the Libyan state has the sole right to utilize resources, manage wealth, and export oil.

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Arab World

A Year After Earthquake, Just 1,000 Moroccan Homes Rebuilt

A devastated village in Morocco's Atlas Mountains (AFP)
A devastated village in Morocco's Atlas Mountains (AFP)
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A Year After Earthquake, Just 1,000 Moroccan Homes Rebuilt

A devastated village in Morocco's Atlas Mountains (AFP)
A devastated village in Morocco's Atlas Mountains (AFP)

One year after a devastating earthquake struck Morocco’s Atlas mountains, just 1,000 homes have so far been rebuilt although more than 55,000 permits have been issued.

The 6.8-magnitude quake on September 8, 2023 shook the remote mountainous area south of the capital Rabat, killing nearly 3,000 people and destroying or damaging around 60,000 homes.

Following the catastrophe, an $11-billion aid program over five years was released for reconstruction and development in the six provinces affected.

Nearly a thousand families were praised for their success in completing the reconstruction and rehabilitation of their homes, according to a statement released last week by the cabinet presidency.

It said this came despite the issuance of 55,142 reconstruction permits and progress on reconstruction and rehabilitation projects for 49,632 damaged homes.

Nearly 58,000 people affected by the quake have received the first of four instalments of state aid of up to 140,000 dirhams ($14,500) but just 939 families have received the final payment.

Such grants are conditional on obtaining the necessary permits, technical studies and validation by a project manager of the various phases of construction.

The head of the government urged those affected to “speed up their work to be able to benefit” from the financial aid available.

In return, several activists, such as Mohamed Belhassen, criticized the government for its “dismal failure” of reconstruction efforts.

Belhassen, who lives in Amizmiz, some 60 kilometers from Marrakesh, told AFP, “A large number of victims are still living in tents or have been forced to leave their villages and rent elsewhere.”

In the Taroudant region some 60 kilometers from Agadir, “the situation hasn’t changed much,” said Siham Azeroual, who founded an NGO to help villagers in the North African country hit by the quake.

“Reconstruction is proceeding very slowly,” she said. Quake victims “are exhausted, and find themselves caught up in an administrative spiral.”

Meanwhile, the authorities say monthly grants to more than 63,800 affected families of 2,500 dirhams ($260) have been made.