Libya’s Menfi Warns FM for Committing Violation

Head of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed al-Menfi (Reuters)
Head of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed al-Menfi (Reuters)
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Libya’s Menfi Warns FM for Committing Violation

Head of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed al-Menfi (Reuters)
Head of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed al-Menfi (Reuters)

Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohammad al-Menfi has warned Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush, saying she committed a violation after dismissing and replacing three ambassadors and delegates.

In a message leaked to the media, Menfi asked Mangoush to refrain from such measures in the future, unless done in accordance with the law, political agreement, and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.

Menfi toured Sirte on Wednesday for the first time and visited a number of main streets that include shops and cafes.

Upon landing at Gardabiya International Airport, Menfi was received by a number of security and local officials including leaders of the Libyan National Army (LNA), which controls the city, as well as a number of lawmakers.

A number of Sirte residents asked the head of the Presidential Council to improve their living conditions after years of destruction and wars, according to the Libyan News Agency.

Menfi expressed hope that the unity government, chaired by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, would address various problems in Libyan cities, especially those affected by conflict.

He pointed out that the government recently decided to establish funds for the reconstruction of destroyed cities, including Sirte.

Meanwhile, Moussa al-Kouni, a member of the Presidential Council, announced Algeria's agreement to reopen the Ghat-Ghadames border crossing with Libya.

Kouni expressed in a tweet his gratitude for Algeria's Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum, who ordered the re-opening of the Ghat-Ghadames crossing border, indicating that the closing of borders has made the conditions in these areas more difficult.

He said this step will contribute to resolving the conditions of the people and residents of the border areas, revealing that the Libyan FM will meet her Algerian counterpart and a number of businessmen to discuss the matter.

In turn, Dbeibah toured on Wednesday a number of municipalities of al-Jaffara and met with the mayors and residents.

The government’s media office issued a statement indicating that the meeting discussed the situation in the region, and the prime minister promised to review their needs and direct the concerned authorities to address the urgent challenges.

Dbeibah received a phone call from US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who stressed that all aspects of the Libyan Government of National Unity should meet the deadlines and make the necessary changes to ensure a successful election.



Israeli Minister Hints at Annexing Parts of Gaza

Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
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Israeli Minister Hints at Annexing Parts of Gaza

Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Destroyed buildings lie in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Israel could threaten to annex parts of Gaza to increase pressure on the militant group Hamas, an Israeli minister said on Wednesday, an idea that would deal a blow to Palestinian hopes of statehood on land Israeli now occupies.

The comment by security cabinet member Zeev Elkin came a day after Britain said it would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes steps to relieve suffering in Gaza and reaches a ceasefire in the war with Hamas, Reuters reported.

France, which said last week it will recognize a Palestinian state in September, and Saudi Arabia issued a declaration on Tuesday, also backed by Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League, outlining steps toward implementing a two-state solution. As part of an end to the Gaza war, they said Hamas "must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority".

Israel has denounced moves to recognize a Palestinian state as rewarding Hamas for its October 2023 attack that precipitated the war.

POSSIBLE ULTIMATUM TO HAMAS

Accusing Hamas of trying to drag out ceasefire talks to gain Israeli concessions, Elkin told public broadcaster Kan that Israel may give the group an ultimatum to reach a deal before further expanding its military actions.

"The most painful thing for our enemy is losing lands," he said. "A clarification to Hamas that the moment they play games with us they will lose land that they will never get back would be a significant pressure tool."

Mediation efforts aimed at reaching a deal that would secure a 60-day ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas ground to a halt last week, with the sides trading blame for the impasse.

Israel is facing mounting international pressure over the situation in Gaza, where a global hunger monitor has warned that a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding. The Gaza health ministry reported seven more hunger-related deaths on Wednesday, including a two-year-old girl with an existing health condition.