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.



Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.