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Algeria, Libya Affirm Need to Secure Borders, Boost Investment

The Algerian-Libyan Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing
The Algerian-Libyan Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing
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Algeria, Libya Affirm Need to Secure Borders, Boost Investment

The Algerian-Libyan Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing
The Algerian-Libyan Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing

A Libyan delegation, led by Head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, held talks with Tunisian officials in Algiers on Sunday.

During the talks, both sides stressed the importance of securing borders and boosting investments between the two countries.

Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum affirmed his country’s “unlimited” solidarity with Libyans to overcome their crisis.

He highlighted efforts to support Libyan authorities in restoring political stability and security.

Following talks with his Libyan counterpart Najla al-Mangoush, Boukadoum said they discussed bilateral ties and means of attaining both people’s interests.

They further exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining bilateral communication and coordination.

Boukadoum expressed “great satisfaction” with the common will to push forward these relations.

The Algerian-Libyan Economic Forum was held on Sunday in Algiers and brought together 500 businessmen and contractors from both countries to discuss investment opportunities.

Boukadoum also said his country was finalizing logistical and technical preparations for the reopening of the Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing with Libya.

Both FMs discussed “measures to overcome obstacles facing investors, develop commercial and economic exchanges, including the acceleration of the reopening of the Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing.”

“The fraternal and neighborliness ties have enshrined the values of understanding and solidarity as constants in our bilateral relations,” Boukadoum stressed, hailing the Libyan people’s support for Algerians during the liberation revolution.

Mangoush, for her part, praised Algeria’s efforts and steady role to preserve Libya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its unlimited solidarity to achieve national reconciliation.

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UN Peacekeepers Stay on Lebanon's Border Despite Israeli Ground Incursion

FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) look at the Lebanese-Israeli border, as they stand on the roof of a watch tower ‏in the town of Marwahin, in southern Lebanon, October 12, 2023. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) look at the Lebanese-Israeli border, as they stand on the roof of a watch tower ‏in the town of Marwahin, in southern Lebanon, October 12, 2023. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo
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UN Peacekeepers Stay on Lebanon's Border Despite Israeli Ground Incursion

FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) look at the Lebanese-Israeli border, as they stand on the roof of a watch tower ‏in the town of Marwahin, in southern Lebanon, October 12, 2023. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations peacekeepers (UNIFIL) look at the Lebanese-Israeli border, as they stand on the roof of a watch tower ‏in the town of Marwahin, in southern Lebanon, October 12, 2023. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo

UN peacekeepers are staying in their positions on Lebanon’s southern border despite Israel’s request to vacate some areas before it launched its ground operation against Hezbollah militants, the UN peacekeeping chief said Thursday.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix said the commander and liaison officers from the UN force, known as UNIFIL, also are in constant contact with their counterparts in the Israeli and Lebanese militaries. He called that key to protecting the UN’s more than 10,000 peacekeepers.
The UN force is “the only channel of communications between the parties,” he told reporters. “The peacekeepers are also working with partners to do what they can to protect the population.”
UNIFIL was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion. The UN expanded its mission following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, allowing peacekeepers to deploy along the Israeli border, The Associated Press said.
A UN Security Council resolution ending that war demanded that all armed groups — including Hezbollah — be disarmed and that the Lebanese army deploy throughout the country to the Israeli border. After 17 years, neither has happened.
Lacroix, who is undersecretary-general for peace operations, said UNIFIL had anticipated “a limited, targeted ground operation” and had thoroughly discussed whether UN peacekeepers should stay or not, deciding they should stay for now.
“We’re constantly reviewing the situation” on the ground in terms of the safety and security of the peacekeepers, he said. He added that contingency plans are ready but refused to discuss them.
Lacroix also stressed that Israel and Hezbollah have an obligation to protect the UN peacekeepers.
Israeli ground forces crossed into southern Lebanon early Tuesday, which along with stepped-up airstrikes marked a significant escalation against Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and of the war in the Middle East. The fighting comes as the region braces for Israel’s response to Iran's ballistic missile attack.
Hezbollah began firing across the border after Iranian-backed Hamas militants carried out attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 and then Israel retaliated with its military offensive in Gaza.
Lacroix said that there were a few “issues” after Israel's ground operation in Lebanon began, which he wouldn’t go into, but that the UN liaison mechanism with its Israeli and Lebanese counterparts was “effective in addressing those issues.”
Lacroix said UNIFIL at the moment is not carrying out patrols, which it would normally do, but its positions are manned. In some places, the number of peacekeepers has been reduced by about 20%, he said.
When Lacroix was asked whether Israeli fire was coming too close to its bases or positions, he replied that one of the added values of the liaison operation is “to prevent and deal with possible incidents that would have the potential of affecting the safety, the security of our peacekeepers.”
The liaison officers also are dealing with other activities, including military movements, he said.
Lacroix said UNIFIL had been supporting civilian efforts to supply humanitarian assistance to people in southern Lebanon. The peacekeepers are still trying to help and “are playing a role as much as possible,” he said.