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.



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)
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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.