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.



US to Withdraw 600 Troops from Syria, Leaving Fewer than 1,000 to Help Counter ISIS Militants

The US troops have been critical not only in the operations against the ISIS group but as a buffer for the Kurdish forces against Türkiye, which considers them to be aligned with terror groups. File. | Photo Credit: AP
The US troops have been critical not only in the operations against the ISIS group but as a buffer for the Kurdish forces against Türkiye, which considers them to be aligned with terror groups. File. | Photo Credit: AP
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US to Withdraw 600 Troops from Syria, Leaving Fewer than 1,000 to Help Counter ISIS Militants

The US troops have been critical not only in the operations against the ISIS group but as a buffer for the Kurdish forces against Türkiye, which considers them to be aligned with terror groups. File. | Photo Credit: AP
The US troops have been critical not only in the operations against the ISIS group but as a buffer for the Kurdish forces against Türkiye, which considers them to be aligned with terror groups. File. | Photo Credit: AP

The US will withdraw about 600 troops from Syria, leaving fewer than 1,000 to work with Kurdish allies to counter the ISIS group, a US official said Thursday.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet announced publicly.
The US troops have been critical not only in the operations against ISIS but as a buffer for the Kurdish forces against Türkiye, which considers them to be aligned with terror groups.
President Donald Trump tried to withdraw all forces from Syria during his first term, but he met opposition from the Pentagon because it was seen as abandoning allies and led to the resignation of former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
The departure of the 600 troops will return force levels to where they had been for years, after the US and its allies waged a multiyear campaign to defeat ISIS. The US had maintained about 900 troops in Syria to ensure that the ISIS militants did not regain a foothold, but also as a hedge to prevent Iranian-backed militants from trafficking weapons across southern Syria.
The number of US troops was raised to more than 2,000 after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas in Israel, as Iranian-backed militants targeted US troops and interests in the region in response to Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
Three US troops in Jordan were killed by a drone fired by an Iranian-backed militia in January 2024.
In December 2024, Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country. In the months since, Syrians displaced by more than a decade of war have returned home, but the country remains unstable. Israel has targeted Syrian weapons installations, and there are some indications that the ISIS group is trying to reconstitute itself, and Iranian-backed militias in Syria remain a threat to US interests.
The withdrawal of the 600 troops was first reported by The New York Times.