عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Protests in Eastern Libya against Abduction of Egyptians

Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
TT
TT

Protests in Eastern Libya against Abduction of Egyptians

Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
Illegal migrants arrive by boat at a naval base after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the coastal city of Tripoli, Libya, May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny

Libyan citizens and civil society in Tobruk have decried the abduction, torture, and murder of Egyptian migrants by smugglers.

They called on Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani and Interior Minister of the eastern government Ibrahim Boushnaf to act against these “criminal acts.”

Recently, videos showing undocumented Egyptian migrants being tortured in Tobruk have gone viral. Their kidnappers have demanded ransom from their families in return for their release.

However, some of them succumbed to their wounds in hospitals.

The protesters described the acts as “inhumane”, saying they don’t represent the values and morals of Libyans.

In a statement, the protesters demanded the immediate intervention of Libyan National Army Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Abdel Razek Al-Nadouri and the Libyan Coast Guard to halt these “crimes that are undermining the safety of citizens.”

They underscored the importance of “holding the smugglers accountable and foiling their plan to destabilize Libyan-Egyptian ties.”

Further, they encouraged the government, Egyptian army, and Border Guards to raid the strongholds of the smugglers.

In a related context, the spokesman for the Libyan Navy chief said that 81 migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast.

Libya has become a key route for irregular migration to Europe.

While many have drowned at sea, thousands have been intercepted by the Libyan coastguard.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
TT
TT

Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)

The Lebanese government has approved funding to recruit 1,500 new military personnel in the Lebanese Army as part of an initiative to increase military presence along the southern border, amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities.
The funds will be provided to the Ministry of Defense as an advance, a decision highlighted by the Minister of Information for its political and international significance, particularly in relation to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the caretaker government emphasized that continued and escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon amount to crimes against humanity. He stated that a primary pathway to a resolution involves halting hostilities against the country, fully implementing Resolution 1701, and electing a new president to restore institutional order, stability, and initiate reconstruction.

Mikati condemned what he described as an international failure to stop Israel’s actions against Lebanon, which include attacks on towns and villages, civilian deaths, and strikes against medical and relief personnel.
“We condemn and hold the international community responsible for the continuation of Israel’s genocidal war on Lebanon, its destruction of towns and villages, killing of civilians, assassination of army personnel, and targeting of medical teams, civil defense, relief teams, and journalists.
“Additionally, the attacks on UNIFIL, which represents international legitimacy, make targeting UNIFIL an assault on the international community and the Security Council. This destruction continues to affect hospitals, schools, and educational centers,” stated Mikati.
On the international front, Mikati highlighted the solidarity shown by world figures, referring to his discussions with leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Prime Minister. This was further demonstrated during the Paris Conference in Support of Lebanon -late on October- he underlined, specifically thanking France for its humanitarian efforts and military support.
But he added: “But unfortunately, Israel is blatantly disregarding all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
The prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s stance on safeguarding its dignity and sovereignty across air, sea, and land, pledging to confront any Israeli violations.
Following the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Ziad Makari assured that funds to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers are available and that the government encountered no issues regarding this allocation.
Nasser Yassin, the government’s Emergency Committee coordinator, announced that the cabinet approved fuel allocations for 541 shelters in mountainous regions over 300 meters in altitude to ensure winter heating. Yassin also detailed efforts concerning the people displaced as the result of the Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
He highlighted that there are 44,000 families in 1,138 shelters and an additional 147,000 families housed within communities.