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.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
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Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.