Egypt, Algeria Agree to Intensity Joint Coordination to Restore Libya's Security, Stability

Government of National Accord (GNA) military graduates during a graduation ceremony. (AFP)
Government of National Accord (GNA) military graduates during a graduation ceremony. (AFP)
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Egypt, Algeria Agree to Intensity Joint Coordination to Restore Libya's Security, Stability

Government of National Accord (GNA) military graduates during a graduation ceremony. (AFP)
Government of National Accord (GNA) military graduates during a graduation ceremony. (AFP)

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune agreed to intensify joint coordination during the coming period between the two countries to restore security and stability to Libya.

This came in a phone call during which Sisi congratulated Tebboune on his recovery from the coronavirus, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement Thursday.

The two leaders further discussed several regional issues, namely the Libyan crisis.

The spokesman said that Sisi reviewed the ongoing efforts made by Egypt within the framework of the political track of the crisis in Libya.

The two leaders also tackled ways of enhancing bilateral ties to fight the spread of the pandemic and impose precautionary measures through the exchange of experiences between the concerned agencies in both countries.

For his part, Tebboune affirmed Algeria's strong ties with Egypt at the official and popular levels, lauding Cairo’s efforts in various issues, given its pivotal political role at the regional and international levels.

Meanwhile, forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Sarraj, are preparing for joint military exercises with Turkey.

GNA’s Defense Minister Salah al-Nimroush, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Mohammed al-Haddad, visited al-Khoms Naval Base in preparation for the implementation of the joint training programs.

The media office of the “Volcano of Rage” operation reported the visit, noting that the drills will be executed within the training program of the Turkish army, as part of the memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Libya on military and security cooperation.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.