Libya: 5+5 Commission Announces Mechanism for Mercenaries Withdrawal

Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)
Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)
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Libya: 5+5 Commission Announces Mechanism for Mercenaries Withdrawal

Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)
Libyan National Army (LNA) members head out of Benghazi to reinforce troops advancing towards Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2019. (Reuters)

The 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) concluded Thursday a three-day meeting in Cairo where it agreed with representatives of Chad, Niger, and Sudan on establishing an effective communication and coordination mechanism for the departure of mercenaries and foreign forces from the Libyan territories .

They agreed on implementing a a gradual, balanced, synchronized, and sequenced process, saying the mechanism will enable taking the first steps in the withdrawal process that will take fully into account the needs and concerns of Libya and its neighbors.

"The mechanism envisages the establishment of communication and coordination committees in Libya and neighboring countries that will be tasked with communicating and coordinating the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters as well as the holding of meetings during the implementation process between the JMC and Libyan authorities and representatives of the neighboring countries of Chad, Niger, and Sudan," a UNSMIL statement on the JMC meeting read.

For his part, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubis, hailed the continuous efforts of the JMC in this regard.

"I am honored to witness this progress achieved by Libya, Chad, Niger, and Sudan, working in the spirit of common interest and partnership that will open the doors to sustainable stability, security, development, and cooperation in the region," he noted.

"This responds to the overwhelming demand of the Libyan people and further creates a positive momentum in light of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 December."

Meanwhile, the UN continues to exert pressure on the Libyan Parliament to amend the presidential and parliamentary electoral laws, amid plans to hold elections in December.

On Thursday, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Youssef Al-Aqouri, discussed during a virtual meeting with UNSMIL Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator, Residen Zeninga, the requirements for the success of the electoral process.

“The success of the elections requires commitment to the outcomes of the Geneva Conference, including the removal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya," Aqouri said.



Israeli Strikes Kill 35 in Gaza, Many Near an Aid Site, Medics Say 

A military vehicle maneuvers in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, June 10, 2025. (Reuters)
A military vehicle maneuvers in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, June 10, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israeli Strikes Kill 35 in Gaza, Many Near an Aid Site, Medics Say 

A military vehicle maneuvers in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, June 10, 2025. (Reuters)
A military vehicle maneuvers in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, June 10, 2025. (Reuters)

Israeli military strikes killed at least 35 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, most of them at an aid site operated by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in central Gaza, local health officials said.

Medical officials at Shifa and Al-Quds Hospitals said at least 25 people were killed as they approached the aid site near the former settlement of Netzarim, and dozens were wounded.

Ten other people were killed in other Israeli military strikes in Khan Younis in the south of the enclave, they added.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

On Tuesday, when Gaza health officials said 17 people were killed near another GHF aid site in Rafah in southern Gaza, the army said it fired warning shots to distance "suspects" who were approaching the troops and posed a threat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday there had been "significant progress" in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, but that it was "too soon" to raise hopes that a deal would be reached.

Despite efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal.

Two Hamas sources told Reuters they did not know about any new ceasefire offers.

The war erupted after Hamas-led fighters took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in an October 7, 2023, attack, Israel's single deadliest day.

Israel's military campaign has since killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and flattened much of the coastal enclave.