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.



US Objection Forces Iraq to Delay Approval of New PMF Law to New Parliament

Members of the PMF. (AFP file)
Members of the PMF. (AFP file)
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US Objection Forces Iraq to Delay Approval of New PMF Law to New Parliament

Members of the PMF. (AFP file)
Members of the PMF. (AFP file)

Opposition from the United States has led to the delay of the ratification of a law related to Iraq's pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The Iraqi parliament was supposed to convene to ratify the law, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month said would “institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq’s sovereignty.”

Informed political sources said the American objections mean it is unlikely for the current parliament to ratify the law and the issue will be delayed until a new parliament is elected.

Parliamentary elections are expected to be held in November.

Armed factions and some Shiite parties were pushing for the ratification of the law.

The sources added, however, that there are doubts that even the new parliament would be able to approve the legislation given “regional changes that may arise and with the possibility that the influence of the armed factions may diminish in wake of the elections results.”

The US has for months expressed its opposition to the law during meetings with various Iraqi officials.

On Saturday, US Chargé d'Affaires Steven Fagin explicitly expressed Washington’s concern about the law after meeting with Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, First Deputy Speaker of parliament, reiterating Rubio’s statement.

Despite the firm American opposition, the political sources said Iran remains determined to ratify the law, a stance that was expressed during a secret visit to Baghdad by its Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani.

Conflicts within the Coordination Framework

American opposition is not the only reason for the delay in the ratification. Media reports have pointed to “political conflicts” within the pro-Iran Coordination Framework over the leadership of the PMF, as well as top positions within the organization.

MP Raed al-Maliki told the media that disputes within the Framework over “minor details” prompted the delay.

The Asaib Ahl al-Haq faction, meanwhile, has repeatedly called for referring head of the PMF Falih Al-Fayyadh to retirement given that he has reached the age, reflecting its desire to take over his position.

Beyond Shiite circles, Kurdish and Sunni officials have also objected to the law given their existing reservations over the armed factions that are loyal to the PMF, most notably in wake of the recent attacks on oil and gas fields in the Kurdistan Region that have been blamed on them.

Fayyadh had on Sunday urged parliament to ratify the law, saying it was not only a legislation, “but a consolidation of the rights of those who have shed blood for the glory of the nation.”

“It is an embodiment of the people’s gratitude to those who carried arms in defense of Iraq and its unity,” he added.

His message fell on deaf ears at parliament as it was not included on its Monday agenda.