Dbeibeh Vows to Rebuild Everything Destroyed by War in Libya

Dbeibeh visits Bani Waled on Thursday. (GNU press office)
Dbeibeh visits Bani Waled on Thursday. (GNU press office)
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Dbeibeh Vows to Rebuild Everything Destroyed by War in Libya

Dbeibeh visits Bani Waled on Thursday. (GNU press office)
Dbeibeh visits Bani Waled on Thursday. (GNU press office)

The Libyan parliament called on its members to meet for an official session on Monday to discuss the state budget law and appointments to sovereign positions.

The parliament is set to convene at its headquarters in the east-based city of Tobruk.

First Deputy Speaker, Fawzi al-Noueri, questioned the call, saying it was made unilaterally and denying that he was informed of any planned meeting next week.

His announcement reflected the current divisions within the legislature.

“There can be no work in violation of reached agreements, especially after the unification of institutions,” he added.

Head of the High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri had proposed on Thursday that the state budget be approved in cooperation with the Presidential Council and central bank given the parliament’s delay in meeting and approving the draft bill.

Mishri made his proposal to head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdulhamid Dbeibeh in a letter that was leaked to the media.

Dbeibeh, meanwhile, was in the city of Bani Waled, which he vowed to make the launch point for national reconciliation.

He pledged to local officials to reactivate halted projects and rebuild what was destroyed during the war in the past ten years.

The GNU ministers will be present at all Libyan cities without exception to meet the people’s needs and hear their problems, he vowed.

On Wednesday night, Dbeibeh had received in the capital Tripoli the heads of local councils from Benghazi who invited him to visit the eastern city.

The head of the GNU has yet to visit the city since his appointment. A planned visit earlier this year was scrapped due to a dispute related to his entourage.



UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
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UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)

The United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reaffirmed its authority to move freely and conduct patrols with or without Lebanese army presence, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The statement came after an incident in the town of Srifa, where local residents intercepted a UNIFIL patrol. A man climbed onto a UN vehicle and raised a Hezbollah flag in protest over the absence of a Lebanese army escort.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which has been in place since November 2023.

Southern Lebanese villages, particularly those south of the Litani River, appeared nearly deserted during the Eid al-Adha holiday. In contrast to the crowds seen during Eid al-Fitr, most streets were empty, with only a few remaining residents visible.

The destruction caused by Israeli attacks has prevented many from returning to their homes in border villages. Continuous drone surveillance and frequent airstrikes have further discouraged residents from even briefly visiting their damaged properties.

Those who did visit on the first day of Eid described their trips as “urgent and brief,” citing the persistent threat of renewed attacks.

Israeli forces have been accused of several violations in recent days. Local media reported the abduction of a Lebanese shepherd near the town of Shebaa, as well as the injury of a civilian after an Israeli drone dropped two stun grenades in the town of Houla. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported near the towns of Rmeish and Aita al-Shaab.

UNIFIL confirmed the Srifa incident, with spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stating that a group of civilians stopped a scheduled patrol. “The peacekeepers were able to resume their duties after the Lebanese army intervened,” he said.

Tenenti emphasized that Resolution 1701 grants UNIFIL full freedom of movement, adding: “While we coordinate closely with the Lebanese army, freedom of movement is essential to fulfill our mandate.”

Incidents involving local opposition to UNIFIL patrols have become more frequent in recent weeks. With more than 400 patrols conducted daily in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army is unable to accompany all of them due to limited manpower.

UNIFIL continues to view its presence as vital to regional stability, and discussions are underway to extend its mandate beyond August.