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Clashes Erupt near Tripoli Soon after New Libya Govt Approved

Libya's Prime Minister-designate Abdulhamid Dbeibeh speaks during a press conference in the capital, Tripoli, on Feb. 25, 2021. (Getty Images)
Libya's Prime Minister-designate Abdulhamid Dbeibeh speaks during a press conference in the capital, Tripoli, on Feb. 25, 2021. (Getty Images)
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Clashes Erupt near Tripoli Soon after New Libya Govt Approved

Libya's Prime Minister-designate Abdulhamid Dbeibeh speaks during a press conference in the capital, Tripoli, on Feb. 25, 2021. (Getty Images)
Libya's Prime Minister-designate Abdulhamid Dbeibeh speaks during a press conference in the capital, Tripoli, on Feb. 25, 2021. (Getty Images)

Clashes between rival militias broke out again in the Libyan capital Tripoli soon after parliament granted the interim government its vote of confidence.

The fighting took place between militias loyal to the outgoing Government of National Accord (GNA).

Local media and witnesses reported that Turkish drones were flying at a low altitude over the city of Tajoura east of Tripoli. The aircraft had taken off from the capital’s Mitiga airport on a surveillance mission.

Tanks and military vehicles were also spotted in Tripoli amid the spike in tensions caused by the militia clashes.

In Tajoura, rival militias amassed their members and shut main roads after a dispute erupted between the Tajoura Lions, led by Ali Dreder, and Dhaman Brigade, led by Nader al-Azrak. The dispute broke out when the Dhaman Brigade tried to abduct a member of the rival militia.

GNA Defense Minister Salah al-Namroush had in October ordered the dismantling of both militias, but to no avail.

Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh and new Presidential Council head Mohammed al-Menfi did not issue a statement over the Tripoli unrest.

Dbeibeh tweeted, however, that his government will take “very strong” decisions that will favor the people and nation.

He is expected to be officially sworn into office in the eastern city of Benghazi.

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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.