Al-Menfi Emphasizes 'Libyan Reconciliation', Kubis Calls for Ending 'Divisions'

 Mohammad Al-Menfi after performing the Eid prayer in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Photo: Presidential Council)
Mohammad Al-Menfi after performing the Eid prayer in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Photo: Presidential Council)
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Al-Menfi Emphasizes 'Libyan Reconciliation', Kubis Calls for Ending 'Divisions'

 Mohammad Al-Menfi after performing the Eid prayer in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Photo: Presidential Council)
Mohammad Al-Menfi after performing the Eid prayer in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Photo: Presidential Council)

Mohammad Al-Menfi, Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, who performed the Eid al-Adha prayer on Tuesday in the city of Tobruk, stressed the importance of adhering to the values of tolerance and sacrifice, pointing out in a statement to the Council’s efforts to achieve national reconciliation as an ideal option to restore stability and reunite the people of the country.

In turn, Moussa al-Koni, a member of the Presidential Council, said in a brief tweet that holding the elections on Dec. 24, “will be a victory for the nation.”

In this context, the High Electoral Commission pledged to achieve the aspirations of the Libyans in the elections, and called for a massive participation, which “will lead to the building of a secure and stable homeland.”

In a statement, the commission pointed to the ongoing registration process, noting that more than 2.5 million voters have been registered so far.

For his part, Jan Kubis, Head of the United Nations Mission in Libya, congratulated the citizens on the occasion of Eid al-Adha and urged all Libyan leaders and institutions to carry the message of peace, compassion and reconciliation in order to end the continuing divisions in the country.

“On behalf of the entire United Nations family in Libya, I wish all of you and your loved ones and families a peaceful and joyous holiday full of hope for a better future. As we commemorate this occasion, I urge all Libyan leaders and institutions to remember the message of peace, compassion, and reconciliation that this occasion symbolizes to put an end to the continued divisions in the country and to the hardship the Libyan people continue to endure,” The Special Envoy said.

He added: “On this occasion, I call on all key Libyan decision-makers and institutions to safeguard what has been achieved since the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement in October 2020 and work together in a spirit of unity and patriotism, shoulder and share the responsibility to put the welfare and the interests of the Libyan people above narrow interests. May the goodwill of this holy occasion inspire you all to intensify your efforts to continue with the path of peace through enabling the holding of national elections on 24 Dec. 2021.”



Fierce Fighting in Syria's Manbij as Tensions Rise in Homs, Coastal Areas

Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
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Fierce Fighting in Syria's Manbij as Tensions Rise in Homs, Coastal Areas

Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Men suspected of being part of militias or loyalist soldiers of ousted president Bashar Assad are detained by members of the new security forces during an operation in Homs, Syria, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Syria’s new authorities are cracking down on former regime cells in Alawite neighborhoods in Homs and coastal areas, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.

At the same time, heavy fighting broke out in northern Syria’s Manbij between Turkish-backed groups and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the UK-based monitor.

The Observatory reported that at least 28 Türkiye-backed fighters were killed in the clashes, and Turkish forces heavily shelled SDF-held areas.

The SDF accused Turkish-backed forces of launching a major assault on villages near Manbij, but said they had repelled the attacks around the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River.

Türkiye wants to expel the Kurdish People’s Defense Units (YPG), the backbone of the SDF, claiming they are linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as terrorist.

At the same time, tensions have been increasing in the Alawite-majority neighborhoods of Homs as authorities conduct raids for former regime members, with effects spreading to the coastal areas.

In Tartus, about 50 community leaders representing various religious and social groups met with political officials from Syria’s military leadership. During the four-hour meeting, they expressed concerns about the coastal region, home to many former regime supporters.

The discussion focused on maintaining peace and unity in Syria, especially in the coastal areas, following updates on the political and international situation.

Lara Aizouqi, moderator of a press session organized by the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting included a wide range of local community members from various religious and social groups, as well as political representatives from Syria's military leadership.

Aizouqi said the community’s main demand was security.

A proposal was made to create local protection committees, allowing each area to safeguard itself and prevent chaos, with a commitment to handing over wanted individuals in exchange for guarantees against reprisals.