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Libya Increases Random Testing to Combat COVID-19

Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)
Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)
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Libya Increases Random Testing to Combat COVID-19

Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)
Libyans wearing protective face masks queue in front of a bank in the center of the capital Tripoli amid the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo: AFP)

Libyan medical authorities have increased random COVID-19 testing and sample collection, hoping it will help curb the spread of the virus, mainly in the capital which has the highest rate of infections.

The number of coronavirus cases is increasing rapidly in Libya, compared to the number of tests conducted daily, at a time when dozens of citizens refuse to declare their positive results, according to medical sources.

The National Center for Disease Control announced Wednesday that 13 of its laboratories had received 2,815 testing samples from over 33 cities and municipalities around the country.

It indicated that 529 samples came back positive, 270 of which are located in Tripoli.

The country’s total number of coronavirus reached 75,465, including 28,285 active cases, while 46,127 recovered and 1,053 died, announced the Center.

It explained that laboratories received fewer numbers of testing samples, resulting in the drop of cases during the past 24 hours, pointing out that occasional power outages in some cities also affect the number of samples tested.

The Center posted a video showing Tripoli municipality conducting random testing and taking swabs from citizens, as part of its campaign to detect virus outbreak.

Head of campaign, Atallah Soleiman Gharibeh, said in a press statement that the campaign is working all the time to spread awareness among citizens on the need to adhere to the precautions.

Meanwhile, Zliten Medical Center, to the west of Libya, stated Tuesday that it had opened another isolation center after the first one became full, as the cases continue to rise in the area.

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman in Libya, Ahmad Saad, announced the arrival of a shipment of personal protective equipment, medicines for chronic diseases, and an oxygen ventilator to al-Qubbah Hospital, in eastern Libya.

The Benghazi Medical Center launched a campaign for seasonal influenza vaccination targeting the most vulnerable groups, along with medical teams and assisting teams who are in direct contact with patients, namely those infected with COVID-19.

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Israel Seeks to Maintain Areas of Control and Influence in Syrian Territory

Military mobility of Israeli army continues on the Syrian-Israeli border in the Majdal Shams region of Golan Heights in Syria on December 19, 2024 (Anadolu Agency)
Military mobility of Israeli army continues on the Syrian-Israeli border in the Majdal Shams region of Golan Heights in Syria on December 19, 2024 (Anadolu Agency)
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Israel Seeks to Maintain Areas of Control and Influence in Syrian Territory

Military mobility of Israeli army continues on the Syrian-Israeli border in the Majdal Shams region of Golan Heights in Syria on December 19, 2024 (Anadolu Agency)
Military mobility of Israeli army continues on the Syrian-Israeli border in the Majdal Shams region of Golan Heights in Syria on December 19, 2024 (Anadolu Agency)

Israel plans to maintain areas of “control” (occupation) and “influence” (intelligence) in Syrian territory, according to a new operational concept that security officials developed for the new reality in Syria that emerged following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Senior officials in Israel said that the country would need to maintain a 15 km operational perimeter within Syrian territory, where the Israeli army would maintain a presence to ensure that allies of the new regime couldn’t launch missiles toward the Golan Heights, according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
They also noted the necessity of a “sphere of influence” extending 60 km into Syria, under Israeli intelligence control, to monitor and prevent potential threats from developing.
The new operational concept came a few days after Israeli officials confirmed that their forces will not withdraw from the border buffer zone and the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.
Last week, the Kan public broadcaster said in an unsourced report that the new Syrian leadership has asked the US to pressure Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone.
Israeli officials told Kan that they have received no official request on the matter, adding that the Israeli army’s presence at and across the border is necessary to protect its security.
Last month, just hours after factions of the Syrian opposition swept president Bashar al-Assad from power, Israel captured the buffer zone, which was created following the Yom Kippur War of 1967. They also seized the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.
During a visit to Mount Hermon last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that his troops would remain stationed inside Syria “until another arrangement can be found that guarantees Israel’s security.”
Also, Israel has carried out hundreds of attacks across Syria, saying the strikes were aimed at keeping military weapons away from extremists.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli official said that while Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's de facto leader, had sent messages to Israel claiming that his forces weren’t seeking conflict, Israel remained skeptical. “This might hold true for a year, two years, maybe even 10 or 20”, he said.
“But no one can guarantee that eventually, they won’t turn against us – and these are highly dangerous people. (Ahmed) Al-Sharaa’s current goal is to lift sanctions on Syria to bring in foreign funds. But in the long run, Israel must maintain a control zone and a sphere of influence in Syria,” the official said.
He also expressed hope that Israel would receive full backing against threats from Syria and Lebanon after the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
“In the meantime, we’ll have to remain there, ensuring a 15-km missile-free zone under our control, as well as a 60-km sphere of influence, to prevent threats from developing. We’re building an operational concept for this new reality,” he said.
Israel was also concerned about the potential entrenchment of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Syria, seemingly ignored by al-Sharaa, according to the newspaper.
“We won’t allow their establishment in Syria just as we prevented Iran’s foothold there,” the official said.
“We estimate that al-Sharaa prefers to keep them there so they can act against Israel, giving him plausible deniability,” he added.
These remarks came while Israeli officials were reportedly astounded by what they described as the West's “blindness” toward the regime of Ahmad al-Sharaa, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.