UN Mission Announces Establishment of Libyan Political Dialogue Forum Advisory Committee

United Nations Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Williams. (AP)
United Nations Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Williams. (AP)
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UN Mission Announces Establishment of Libyan Political Dialogue Forum Advisory Committee

United Nations Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Williams. (AP)
United Nations Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Williams. (AP)

United Nations Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Williams announced the establishment of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum’s Advisory Committee.

The UN Support Mission in Libya received a total of 28 nominations from the LPDF, revealed the mission in a statement on Saturday.

“We commend the enthusiasm demonstrated by the LPDF members in the nomination process. In line with the LPDF’s core principle of inclusivity, the Mission has expanded the membership of the Advisory Committee to 18 members to ensure broad geographical and political diversity as well as the participation of women, youth, and cultural components,” it added.

The Committee’s mandate will be strictly time-bound and its main mission shall be to discuss outstanding issues related to the selection of a unified executive and to put forward concrete and practical recommendations upon which the plenary shall decide.

“The national elections date of December 24, 2021 remains a sine qua non for UNSMIL, a guiding principle and unrenounceable goal,” stressed the mission.

Member of the Higher Council of State Adel Karmos said there are no real concerns that the political process will collapse.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he explained that the international community, represented by the UN mission and countries involved in Libya, has reached a “complete conviction” that the solution to the country’s crisis lies in the political path.

He added, however, that Libyan politicians are concerned that the international community may impose a political solution without consulting them out of its belief that they are unable to reach consensus over a solution.



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.