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Sarraj Orders Reorganization of Special Deterrence Force Away From Bashagha

The head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj talking to GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha in Tripoli | Getty Images
The head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj talking to GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha in Tripoli | Getty Images
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Sarraj Orders Reorganization of Special Deterrence Force Away From Bashagha

The head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj talking to GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha in Tripoli | Getty Images
The head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj talking to GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha in Tripoli | Getty Images

Conflict within Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) has taken a new course after its head, Fayez Al-Sarraj, ordered the reorganization of the Special Deterrence Force away from the Interior Ministry.

The move removes the Force’s subordination to Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha.

On another note, the head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel conveyed during a surprise visit to the Libyan city of Benghazi on Saturday a message of support from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the Libyan people on various military and political levels.

During his visit, Kamel met with the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar and the head of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh.

A number of issues of concern were discussed. This came within the framework of the Egyptian role in support of stabilizing the situation in Libya and preserving its capabilities and gains, a GIS statement said.

In Kamel and Haftar’s meeting, the statement said, emphasis was placed on the Egyptian efforts and moves in support of the outcomes of the 5+5 Military Commission meetings, which resulted in delaying the ceasefire and taking a number of measures that have contributed to stabilizing the military and security situation throughout Libya.

The 5+5 Joint Military Commission, which brings together five military officials from the eastern and western camps in the Libyan conflict, is one of the three tracks of the settlement process that emerged during the Berlin Conference on Libya in mid-January. It was subsequently adopted by the UN Security Council.

Moreover, Kamel met with Saleh along with a number of MPs, where he emphasized that Egypt “supports all tracks of a comprehensive settlement of the Libyan crisis” in coordination with the United Nations (UN) and the international community.

The head of Egypt’s GIS also discussed the latest developments in the political situation, as well as ways to advance and develop Egyptian-Libyan relations at all levels during the coming period, the statement noted.

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Netanyahu and Trump Prioritize Gaza Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
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Netanyahu and Trump Prioritize Gaza Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his meeting with US President Donald Trump focused on freeing hostages held in Gaza, and stressed his determination to "eliminate" the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas.

Netanyahu said on X that the leaders also discussed the consequences and possibilities of "the great victory we achieved over Iran," following an aerial war last month in which the United States joined Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear sites.

Netanyahu is making his third US visit since Trump took office on January 20 and had earlier told reporters that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.

Trump met Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second time in two days to discuss the situation in Gaza, with the president's Middle East envoy indicating that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement on a ceasefire deal after nearly two years of war. Netanyahu also said that ceasefire efforts were underway.

A delegation from Qatar, the host of indirect talks between Israeli negotiators and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, met senior White House officials before Netanyahu's arrival on Tuesday, Axios said, citing a source familiar with the details.

According to Reuters, the White House had no immediate comment on the report. Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, said the number of issues preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching an agreement had decreased from four to one, expressing optimism for a temporary ceasefire deal by the end of the week.

Witkoff told reporters at a Cabinet meeting that the anticipated agreement would involve a 60-day ceasefire, with the release of ten live hostages and nine deceased individuals.

Netanyahu met with Vice President JD Vance and then visited the US Capitol on Tuesday, and is due back in Congress on Wednesday to meet with US Senate leaders.

He told reporters after a meeting with the Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.

"We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," Netanyahu said.