Libyan Ministers Accused of Forging Credentials

Libya’s Abdulhamid Dbeibeh addresses the parliament a day before his cabinet secured a vote of confidence from the body, in Sirte, Libya, March 9, 2021. (AP)
Libya’s Abdulhamid Dbeibeh addresses the parliament a day before his cabinet secured a vote of confidence from the body, in Sirte, Libya, March 9, 2021. (AP)
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Libyan Ministers Accused of Forging Credentials

Libya’s Abdulhamid Dbeibeh addresses the parliament a day before his cabinet secured a vote of confidence from the body, in Sirte, Libya, March 9, 2021. (AP)
Libya’s Abdulhamid Dbeibeh addresses the parliament a day before his cabinet secured a vote of confidence from the body, in Sirte, Libya, March 9, 2021. (AP)

The Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU), headed by Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, was confronted on Sunday with its first crisis when allegations surfaced that some ministers had forged their credentials and academic qualifications.

The Administrative Control Authority demanded that the GNU submit the resumes of the ministers so that it could verify their credentials.

Local media and activists were the first to allege that some ministers had faked their qualifications.

In an official statement, the Administrative Control Authority called on the government to provide it with the resumes of the ministers and copies of their academic qualifications.

Minister of Labor and Rehabilitation Ali Al-Abed Abu Azoum condemned in a statement the “fierce campaign” that is aimed at hampering the youth’s drive to lead the country during the transitional phase through the spreading of false allegations.

He denied that he had forged his credentials and also posted a copy of his qualifications to refute any claims.

Separately, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron held telephone talks on Sunday to discuss the latest developments in Libya.

They tackled efforts to push forward the settlement on the military, political and security levels.

Sisi underscored the need for all mercenaries to withdraw from Libya and to end all illegal meddling in its affairs so that elections can be held in December, said a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

Macron, for his part, hailed Egypt’s pivotal role in reaching a settlement for the crisis, praising Sisi’s personal efforts to that end. Such efforts consolidate Egypt’s role as a main factor for security and stability in the region and entire Middle East.

He stated that France was keen on continuing intense cooperation and coordination with Egypt on Libya.



Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Strike on Hospital Kills 7

Damage at the Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza, pictured on December 29 - AFP
Damage at the Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza, pictured on December 29 - AFP
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Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Strike on Hospital Kills 7

Damage at the Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza, pictured on December 29 - AFP
Damage at the Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza, pictured on December 29 - AFP

Gaza's civil defense agency said an airstrike hit a hospital Sunday, killing at least seven people, while Israel said it had targeted militants at the no longer functioning facility.

"Seven martyrs and several injured people, including critical cases, have been recovered following the Israeli strike on the upper floor of Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza City," a civil defense agency statement said.

Israel's military said it had carried out a "precise strike" targeting members of Hamas's aerial defense unit operating from a "command and control center in a building that served in the past as the Al-Wafaa hospital".

The health ministry in Gaza said the hospital was still in use.

"The Al-Wafaa Hospital is partially operational, providing care to patients with physical disabilities," the ministry's director general, Munir al-Barsh, told AFP.

"The hospital had been rehabilitated and was getting ready to receive patients. Had it not been targeted by Israeli shelling today, it would have been ready to fully reopen in the next few days," he said.

The strike on Al-Wafaa Hospital came a day after the military ended a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, an assault the World Health Organization reported left the facility empty of patients and staff.

The military also detained the hospital's chief, Hossam Abu Safiyeh, saying he was suspected of being a Hamas militant.

Since October 6, Israel's operations in the Palestinian territory have focused on northern Gaza, where it says its land and air offensive aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping.

However, the military has also carried out airstrikes and shelling in other areas of Gaza as it presses on with its campaign against the militants.