LNA Arrests 7 Qaeda Members in Sophisticated Operation

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
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LNA Arrests 7 Qaeda Members in Sophisticated Operation

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)

The Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, dealt a heavy blow to the al-Qaeda terrorist group by arresting seven of its members in southern Libya.

LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari announced that the military had carried out a sophisticated operation against an al-Qaeda position in the southwestern region of Awbari, detaining seven of its members‎.

The detainees hail from different countries and include Hassan and Omar al-Washi. The LNA also seized large amounts of weapons and ammunition, as well as “dangerous documents”.

Mismari said the operation was part of efforts aimed at cracking down on terrorist cells in the country.

Separately, an LNA official revealed that Turkey had in recent days set up an air bridge aimed at transferring military equipment and fighter jets to support the Government of National Accord (GNA) in western Libya.

The development took place in spite of the agreements that were reached by the joint military committee (5+5) and that call for an end to the military cooperation between Ankara and the GNA.

The Turkish Defense Ministry also released photos of a military training undertaken by the GNA forces and overseen by Turkish officers.



Lebanon’s Former Economy Minister Detained on Corruption and Embezzlement Charges

Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 
Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 
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Lebanon’s Former Economy Minister Detained on Corruption and Embezzlement Charges

Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 
Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 

Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam was arrested on Wednesday by order of Public Prosecutor Jamal al-Hajjar on multiple corruption-related suspicions, including embezzlement of public funds and the signing of questionable contracts during his tenure.

The arrest follows a three-hour interrogation by the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch, conducted in the presence of Salam’s lawyer, Samer al-Hajj.

The move comes just two weeks after Salam was initially questioned at the Beirut Justice Palace. At that time, al-Hajjar had released him on a residency guarantee, lifted his travel ban, and returned his passport. However, new evidence has since prompted further legal action.

According to a senior judicial source, the renewed investigation was triggered by a formal complaint filed by the parliamentary Economic Committee, which accused Salam of embezzlement, forgery, illicit enrichment, and extortion of insurance companies in exchange for contract renewals. The Ministry of Economy reportedly submitted documentation indicating that several contracts signed by Salam were marked by serious irregularities and signs of corruption.

A new case was subsequently opened, prompting the Public Prosecutor to instruct the Information Branch to summon Salam for further questioning — a session that ultimately led to his detention.

The investigation is expected to expand beyond Salam himself. Authorities are reportedly looking into the activities of his inner circle at the ministry. Al-Hajjar plans to transfer the case to the Financial Prosecutor’s Office, which will determine further charges and refer the file to Investigative Judge Bilal Halawi. Halawi will then decide whether to issue a formal arrest warrant, release Salam on bail, or keep him in detention.

Salam’s legal troubles are not new. His former advisor, Fadi Tamim, was previously sentenced to one year in prison in a separate insurance-related corruption case. His brother and former chief of staff, Karim Salam, was also arrested two months ago and remains in custody.

This marks the first arrest of a senior Lebanese official on corruption charges since 2003, signaling what many observers see as a potentially significant shift in Lebanon’s long-stalled accountability efforts.