Libya Prepares for Rolling Out Vaccines

WHO volunteers carry out an awareness campaign in Benghazi, eastern Libya (WHO)
WHO volunteers carry out an awareness campaign in Benghazi, eastern Libya (WHO)
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Libya Prepares for Rolling Out Vaccines

WHO volunteers carry out an awareness campaign in Benghazi, eastern Libya (WHO)
WHO volunteers carry out an awareness campaign in Benghazi, eastern Libya (WHO)

Libya has been preparing to launch the national vaccination campaign, at a time when the coronavirus cases exceeded 166,000 in the country.

The National Center for Disease Control published on Thursday guidelines, calling on citizens who wish to receive the vaccine to constantly check body temperature, coughing, critical diseases, or any type of allergy.

The Center stressed that any side effects must be checked, especially one to three weeks after getting the vaccine.

Libya received on Sunday the first shipment of Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V.

"It is the first drop of rain. Thank God, we are able to supply the first batch of coronavirus vaccine," Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh said. "The rest of the shipment will arrive in succession," he added, without giving further details.

WHO Libya has expressed commitment to continue its support to the Government of Libya, and the National Center for Disease Control in the fight against COVID-19.

WHO said some volunteers are exerting relentless efforts in Benghazi to raise awareness in the community. In addition, they are distributing facemasks, sterilizers, and fliers guide with the support of USAID.

In the same context, the Primary Health Care Institute (PHCI) in cooperation with the Center held a workshop to offer training on the delivery of vaccines.

Twenty-seven new deaths linked to the coronavirus have been recorded in 11 Libyan cities, bringing the total fatalities to 28,000.

The National Center further announced on Thursday that up to 869 new cases have been recorded in Libya, while recoveries reached 152,000.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
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Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.