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US Stresses Need for Constitutional Basis for Libyan Elections

The signing ceremony of the agreement between the Libyan and US company in Tripoli (Libyan government)
The signing ceremony of the agreement between the Libyan and US company in Tripoli (Libyan government)
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US Stresses Need for Constitutional Basis for Libyan Elections

The signing ceremony of the agreement between the Libyan and US company in Tripoli (Libyan government)
The signing ceremony of the agreement between the Libyan and US company in Tripoli (Libyan government)

US Ambassador Richard Norland has encouraged all Libyan leaders to work together and make the necessary compromises to meet the people’s expectation of free and fair elections, an essential step towards a stable, unified and democratic Libya.

Norland, who visited Tripoli for the first time since he assumed his position, stressed that time is crucial and asserted that Libyan leaders need to make critical preparations to ensure successful national elections in December, including determining a constitutional basis and the election law that will govern them.

He held talks with head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid Dbeibeh bilateral relations, US support to complete the government’s work, the budget and the path to the elections.

Norland also attended a signing ceremony for a new 5G telecommunications contract between Libyan company Hatif and US company Infinera.

He said that this new collaboration is an example that shows how improving stability and political progress can lead to job creation and economic benefits for the Libyan people.

Meanwhile, a committee of nine members of the House of Representatives kicked off meetings in Rome on Monday on adopting the legal framework for the elections. Heald in the presence of the UN mission and the High National Elections Commission, the talks will continue until July 29.

Parliamentary spokesman Abdullah Blehik said the meeting would include representatives from across Libya and members of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

The UNSMIL hoped this effort and the work of the HoR committee would result in establishing a legal framework and additional momentum for holding inclusive, accessible and fair parliamentary and presidential elections on December 24.

The role of UNSMIL during this meeting will be to provide technical support and advice to the HoR Committee and the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) in developing draft electoral laws based on UN principles of electoral assistance and human rights principles.

The UNSMIL stressed the importance of an inclusive electoral process and including the High Council of State in the preparation of the electoral laws, including during the meeting in Rome, in line with relevant provisions of the Libyan Political Agreement and the Tunis Roadmap regarding the preparation of the electoral legislation.

UNSMIL urged the HoR and the High Council of State to act in goodwill towards these objectives and to coordinate in line with the relevant provisions of the Libyan Political Agreement.

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Lebanese Army Conducts 500 Missions to Dismantle Hezbollah Infrastructure South of Litani River

A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)
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Lebanese Army Conducts 500 Missions to Dismantle Hezbollah Infrastructure South of Litani River

A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese Army vehicle near a destroyed position in the town of Naqoura in South Lebanon (AFP)

The Lebanese army has intensified its efforts to stop Israel from finding excuses for the ceasefire agreement in South Lebanon to endure. Since the ceasefire was declared on November 27, the army has carried out approximately 500 missions to inspect potential Hezbollah sites, dismantle infrastructure, and confiscate weapons.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah and Israel are both supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon by Sunday to allow the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to provide security.

According to sources monitoring the implementation of the agreement, Hezbollah is “fully cooperating with the decisions of the Lebanese authorities.”

Israel has warned residents of over 62 towns south of the Litani River against returning to their villages. While Israel has not established any permanent military posts on Lebanese soil, it has conducted incursions and demolitions in 38 villages and towns. Israeli forces have fully withdrawn from nine of these areas, with the Lebanese army swiftly deploying in them and preparing to assume control in others.

Israeli media leaks suggest that Israel might retain control of three border points: Hamames Hill in Khiam, facing the Metula settlement; a site in Harsh Al-Labouneh in the western sector near Naqoura and Alma Al-Shaab, facing settlements in western Galilee; and Jabal Balat in the central sector near Ramiyeh, opposite the Zar’it and Shtula settlements. These claims are allegedly based on the assertion that the Lebanese army and UNIFIL have not yet completed their assignments.

However, security sources affirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the army has fulfilled its responsibilities, dismantling most of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure south of the Litani River. The sources stressed that the army has promptly addressed every potential site or facility reported by the ceasefire monitoring committee.

Hezbollah has reportedly not objected to any army or UNIFIL operations involving inspections, confiscation of weapons, or clearing of storage depots. Security officials revealed that the army seizes all weapons and ammunition found south of the Litani River without consulting any other parties, in accordance with political directives to enforce UN Resolution 1701. The confiscated weapons and ammunition are disposed of daily by engineering teams at three designated demolition sites.

In collaboration with and under the supervision of UNIFIL, the Lebanese army has carried out 500 missions to inspect and dismantle potential Hezbollah sites, including 100 weapons depots confirmed by the UN Secretary-General during his recent visit to southern Lebanon.

The army has also deployed in areas that Israeli troops have withdrawn from, fully complying with monitoring committee instructions despite provocations by Israeli forces. These provocations include Israeli drones dropping sound bombs near army personnel, repeated incursions into Lebanese territory, and detonations near UNIFIL units. One such incident recently injured seven members of the Finnish battalion.

The Lebanese army has documented more than 1,500 Israeli violations since the ceasefire, including land, sea, and air breaches, demolitions of buildings, and destruction of roads.