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)
TT
20

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.



First Eid Adha Prayer Performed in Post-Assad Damascus

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, officials and citizens perform the Eid al-Adha prayer at the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday. (SANA)
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, officials and citizens perform the Eid al-Adha prayer at the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday. (SANA)
TT
20

First Eid Adha Prayer Performed in Post-Assad Damascus

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, officials and citizens perform the Eid al-Adha prayer at the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday. (SANA)
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, officials and citizens perform the Eid al-Adha prayer at the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday. (SANA)

Syria celebrated Eid al-Adha on Friday for the first time since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, ministers, military commanders, religious officials and members of the public performed Eid prayers at the presidential palace in Damascus.

In a message to the people on Eid, Sharaa stressed that Syria was recovering after 14 years of war and suffering.

State news agency SANA said tens of thousands of people flocked to Damascus’ squares to perform the prayer.

People from across Syria were eager to perform the Eid prayer at the Umayyad Mosque for the first time since Assad’s ouster.

Damascus Governor Maher Marwan said the country was recovering on several levels “thanks to the unity and patience of its people.”

Sharaa later headed to the southern province of Daraa, his first since assuming his post.

He was warmly welcomed by the locals, who showed up in droves to receive him.

Meanwhile, the country’s Supreme Fatwa Council issued a fatwa, or religious edict, banning extrajudicial acts of revenge.

It stressed that justice can only be achieved through the relevant authorities. This will achieve societal security and justice.

The council made the announcement after it received several complaints about individual acts of vengeance.

US special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack was quick to hail the fatwa, saying: “Great first steps for a new Syrian government marching toward a new Syria.”

The council also called for speeding up judicial procedures against suspects, the adoption of effective laws and keeping figures connected to the ousted regime away from the judiciary.

Achieving justice and ending oppression are among the foundations of civil peace, it declared.

It warned that individual calls for vengeance are in violation of Sharia law and will only stoke chaos and strife, and threaten social unity.