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Tracking Website Shows Turkish Air Bridge to Western Libya

Libyan soldiers conduct a graduation ceremony following the completion of training by the Turkish Armed Forces, Nov. 22, 2020. (AA)
Libyan soldiers conduct a graduation ceremony following the completion of training by the Turkish Armed Forces, Nov. 22, 2020. (AA)
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Tracking Website Shows Turkish Air Bridge to Western Libya

Libyan soldiers conduct a graduation ceremony following the completion of training by the Turkish Armed Forces, Nov. 22, 2020. (AA)
Libyan soldiers conduct a graduation ceremony following the completion of training by the Turkish Armed Forces, Nov. 22, 2020. (AA)

Itamilradar, a website on military aircraft tracking in Italy and the Mediterranean, has disclosed movements for Turkish military transport aircraft above the center and east of the Mediterranean towards Libya.

The website noted that it tracked two Turkish Air Force flights between Libya and Turkey. They headed towards the west of Libya in Misrata. This indicates that Turkey continues to arm its members in western Libya.

Moreover, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced resuming training for the Government of National Accord forces in line with the deal struck with the GNA on Nov. 27, 2019.

The training is provided by Turkish army personnel “in order to raise the Libyan army to international standards,” the Ministry tweeted.

Such developments occurred amid a crisis between Ankara and the European Union resulting from the German frigate Hamburg stopping the Turkish-flagged cargo ship, Roseline A, as part of a European Union mission called Operation Irini.

The Operation was launched by the EU to monitor and enforce compliance with the United Nations Security Council resolution which bans arms shipments to Libya.

German personnel from the Irini mission boarded the Roseline A to search for arms belonging to militias loyal to GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj.

Turkey said the inspection was carried out without its consent, and submitted a complaint to the EU.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saw this as an “aggression” that is unjustified by virtue of the international law and the law of the sea.

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Lebanese President Faces Domestic, Foreign Challenges

Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
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Lebanese President Faces Domestic, Foreign Challenges

Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS

The election of a new president in Lebanon does not mean the country has come out of the economic and political crises which have gutted it for years. Yet Thursday’s vote marks the beginning of a new phase that carries many challenges for the president and the upcoming government.

It is Joseph Aoun’s responsibility now to appoint a prime minister following binding parliamentary consultations and then form the Cabinet together with the PM.

According to observers, Aoun’s term should carry a roadmap to salvage the country, and a clear plan to address crises and domestic and foreign challenges.

However, there is no magic wand to solve Lebanon’s entire crises.

Instead, Aoun needs a unified working team that should draft a clear ministerial statement that reflects the President’s inaugural speech and his pledge of a “new era” for Lebanon.

“The president's speech constitutes a detailed program for governance. However, his program needs a cabinet capable of implementing it,” former Minister Ibrahim Najjar told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Najjar described the new President as an honest, clean and courageous Lebanese man.

“His election must be followed by the formation of a bold cabinet with new faces, capable of working and making achievements,” he said.

“The Lebanese people expect President Aoun to change the quota-based mentality of politicians. They hope his term will help remove old political figures, who are rooted in the Lebanese quagmire,” the former minister noted.

Former MP Fares Souaid told Asharq Al-Awsat that Aoun’s first task is to implement the Constitution and the National Accord document.

“In the early 1990s, the Constitution was no longer being implemented due to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. In 2005, the Constitution was again ignored because of Iranian arms.”

Therefore, Soueid said, the Lebanese eagerly expect this new era to constitute a real opportunity for the implementation of both documents.

For years, Lebanon has failed to properly implement its Constitution and UN resolutions, mainly because some political parties had considered their implementation as “a target against their so-called resistance.”

“With the election of President Joseph Aoun, Lebanon has opened a blank page that could meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people, and write a new chapter in the country’s history,” Najjar said.

According to Soueid, Aoun has a task to return Lebanon to its Arab identity. “This is slowly beginning to show through the decline of Iranian influence in the region,” he said.

Also, Soueid said, the new President should mend Lebanon’s relations with the international community by implementing all UN resolutions.

Addressing Parliament and Lebanese people with an acceptance speech, Aoun on Thursday vowed that the Lebanese authorities will have the monopoly on arms and will be committed to a strong state that will extend its sovereignty over the entire territory.

“This is in line with UN resolutions, which if implemented, will bring Lebanon back to the Arab and international scene,” Soueid said.