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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)
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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.

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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)

As Lebanese authorities proceed with the deportation of Egyptian activist Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, the son of the late cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian source involved in the case told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo plans to formally request his extradition from Abu Dhabi once he arrives there.

Controversy has surrounded the case since Lebanon announced that the government had approved the deportation of Qaradawi to the UAE instead of Egypt, where he holds citizenship.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that citizenship is not an obstacle in extradition cases between countries, saying that a state may decide to extradite a person to another country even if they hold the nationality of a third state, as in the case of Qaradawi’s son.

According to Lebanese sources, the decision to extradite Qaradawi to the UAE is based on a warrant issued by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. As a member of the council, Lebanon is obligated to comply with the UAE’s request, despite the absence of a direct bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Additionally, the extradition decision was influenced by the fact that the charges against Qaradawi are criminal, not political, as political charges would prevent extradition and instead warrant protection under international conventions.

An Egyptian judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the International Cooperation Office of Egypt’s Public Prosecutor had prepared a comprehensive file containing all rulings issued against Qaradawi to ensure that the extradition request met all legal requirements. This file was sent to Lebanese judicial authorities through official channels. However, Egypt has yet to receive a response from Lebanon, though one is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mehran, a member of the American and European societies for international law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that international law generally allows extradition when the individual is either a citizen of the requesting state, has committed a crime on its territory, or when the requesting state has a direct legal interest in the case.

As Qaradawi is an Egyptian citizen, Egypt “has the legal right to request his extradition under international law and bilateral agreements, provided all legal conditions are met,” Mehran said.

Meanwhile, Qaradawi’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, confirmed plans to file an urgent appeal in Lebanese courts to prevent his client’s extradition, according to Reuters. Mehran explained that extradition laws grant the individual the right to appeal in court, while the requesting states also have the right to challenge decisions.

Mehran suggested that if Qaradawi is ultimately handed over to the UAE, it is highly likely he will later be extradited to Egypt after procedural requirements in the Emirates are fulfilled. This is due to the strong bilateral relations and close security coordination between Egypt and the UAE.

Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, who holds dual Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, was arrested in Lebanon on December 28 after returning from Syria. His arrest followed an Interpol red notice issued based on an in absentia ruling by an Egyptian court sentencing him to five years in prison for spreading false news, inciting violence, and terrorism. Before his arrest, Qaradawi appeared in a video filmed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he made remarks considered offensive to both Egypt and the UAE.