Libya’s LNA, GNA Agree to Prisoner Exchange

Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)
Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)
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Libya’s LNA, GNA Agree to Prisoner Exchange

Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)
Libyans are seen in the old city of Tripoli, Libya. (Reuters)

The Libyan joint military committee (5+5) reached an agreement on a prisoner exchange between the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, and Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Sarraj, revealed a prominent official from the military.

Khaled Mahjoub said the committee, which convened this week, has raised its recommendations to the United Nations Security Council and will begin arrangements as soon as possible to hold the swap.

The GNA is committed to the deal, despite the objections of some militias, he said.

The committee, which includes officers from the LNA and GNA, had in October agreed to a ceasefire in the country.

The British embassy in Libya, as co-chair of this group, applauded the progress the Joint Military Commission has made.

Separately, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) hailed the large consultative session of the House of Representatives that was held in Tangiers in Morocco.

“We hope the House of Representatives will fulfill the Libyan people's expectations for implementation of the roadmap agreed upon by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum towards the holding of national elections on December 24, 2021,” it tweeted.

“That such a diverse range of Parliamentarians from Libya's three regions is meeting under one roof is a positive and welcome step,” it added.

In Libya, meanwhile, GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, and in another attempt to burnish his credentials to succeed Sarraj, alleged that he was victim of a failed assassination attempt.

In remarks to local radio, he accused some officers from inside his ministry of being involved, revealing that they have since been arrested and referred to the judiciary.

The minister did not reveal the time or location of the alleged attempt against his life, but said it took place when the GNA was waging its counter operation against the LNA offensive against Tripoli.



Libya Signs Geological, Geophysical MoU with Türkiye on Offshore Areas, NOC Says

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
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Libya Signs Geological, Geophysical MoU with Türkiye on Offshore Areas, NOC Says

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP

Libya's National Oil Company (NOC) had signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish state oil company TPAO to conduct a geological and geophysical study of four offshore areas, NOC said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

"Discussions were also held regarding conducting a two-dimensional seismic survey (10,000 km long), and processing the data resulting from these surveys within a period not exceeding 9 months," Libya's state oil firm said in a statement.

NOC said the agreement was signed in Istanbul by the two companies' executives. It provided no further details.