Egypt, Libya Say 'Berlin 2' Must Prioritize Withdrawal of Mercenaries

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt, Libya Say 'Berlin 2' Must Prioritize Withdrawal of Mercenaries

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Libyan counterpart Naglaa el-Mangoush the need to prioritize the issue of foreign forces and mercenaries stationed in Libya during the Berlin 2 conference.

During a joint press conference in Cairo, Mangoush stressed that ending foreign interferences and removing foreign forces and mercenaries are the only ways to support Libya’s stability and peace.

She explained that the unity government, led by Abdulhamid Dbeiba, is facing major security and economic challenges.

The political process is moving slowly in Libya, however, Mangoush said there are several signs of development especially that Berlin 2 will be held soon.

“The Libyan people must rise to the level of responsibility, and mercenaries and foreign fighters must be removed from Libya,” she stressed.

Mangoush praised the distinguished relations between Egyptians and Libyans, noting that she looks forward to Egypt's support for stability in Libya.

For his part, Shoukry said that Egypt supports the efforts of Libyans to restore security and stability, adding that his discussions with Mangoush touched on ways of boosting bilateral relations and pushing forward the political process in Libya.

The Egyptian minister asserted his country’s support for Libya's efforts to restore security and stability.

Shoukry said Berlin 2 conference is an opportunity for the international community to commit to the welfare and sovereignty of Libyans.

He stressed the necessity of restoring the unity of the Libyan territories and implementing all the stages of the roadmap for the political solution resulting from the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).

The Egyptian minister indicated that Berlin 2 conference will also provide a chance for the international community to show its support for Libya, stressing that the issue of foreign forces and armed militias needs to be addressed during the conference.

Shoukry expressed Egypt's readiness to help the Libyans achieve the Stability Initiative to restore the country’s stability and territorial integrity.



Independent Israeli Commission Blames Netanyahu and Others for October 2023 Attack

A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
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Independent Israeli Commission Blames Netanyahu and Others for October 2023 Attack

A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)
A protester walks between vehicles as people protest demanding the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, ahead of a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 26, 2024. (Reuters)

The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services.

The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe.

The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.”

It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues.

The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means.

On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking.

The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack.

Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over.