US Denies Links with Efforts to Postpone Libyan Elections

A photo distributed by the US Ambassador to Libya during his visit to a polling station accompanied by the Head of the Electoral Commission in Tripoli.
A photo distributed by the US Ambassador to Libya during his visit to a polling station accompanied by the Head of the Electoral Commission in Tripoli.
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US Denies Links with Efforts to Postpone Libyan Elections

A photo distributed by the US Ambassador to Libya during his visit to a polling station accompanied by the Head of the Electoral Commission in Tripoli.
A photo distributed by the US Ambassador to Libya during his visit to a polling station accompanied by the Head of the Electoral Commission in Tripoli.

The United States has denied any intervention in Libya’s affairs, affirming that the country’s fate and its elections is a matter only Libyans get to decide.

Spokesman for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) had refuted what was attributed to UN Special Advisor for Libya Stephanie Williams about a road map related to the elections, scheduled for December 24.

He pointed out that her mission is to lead the mediation efforts between the Libyans to help them implement the three-point-plan emanating from the Berlin conference, including supporting the elections not deciding its outcomes.

Williams is currently conducting consultations and listening to the point of views of involved Libyan parties from various political, social and security spectrums, the spokesman affirmed, noting that only Libyans get to have decisions on the upcoming elections.

The US Special Envoy and Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, arrived in Tripoli on Monday for discussions on providing support for the electoral process.

“The US continues to support the vast majority of Libyans who want elections and to cast a vote for their country’s future,” Norland said.

“A major takeaway from our visit is that Libyans, and numerous Libyan institutions and organizations, are working toward this goal.”

He pointed out that the US is working to be a partner in this process, allowing Libyans to make the choice, adding that it does not support any particular candidate, but rather the process.

“The US will continue to engage with Libyan institutions and leaders with the goal of peaceful, free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections that will pave the way for a unified and stable future for Libya.,” Norland asserted.

The ambassador met with Head of Libya’ss Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah for a discussion of key Libyan issues in the context of the electoral campaign.

He also met with Williams and several Libyan officials and civil society activists.



Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says

Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
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Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says

Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Syria will start swapping old banknotes for new ones under a ​plan to replace Assad-era notes starting from January 1, 2026, Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh said on Thursday.

Husrieh announced the introduction of the new Syrian currency, saying the decree "sets January ‌1, 2026, ‌as the start date ‌for ⁠the ​exchange ‌process". Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters in August that the country will issue new banknotes, removing two zeros from its currency in an attempt to restore ⁠public confidence in the severely devalued pound.

The ‌step is intended ‍to strengthen ‍the Syrian pound after its purchasing ‍power collapsed to record lows following a 14-year conflict that ended with President Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December.

Husrieh ​said the operation will take place through a smooth and orderly ⁠swap - a move bankers hope will ease fears that the new currency could fuel inflation and further erode the purchasing power of Syrians already reeling from high prices.

He added that a press conference will soon outline the exact regulations and mechanisms.


Türkiye Begins Black Box Analysis of Jet Crash That Killed Libyan Military Chief and 7 Others

Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
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Türkiye Begins Black Box Analysis of Jet Crash That Killed Libyan Military Chief and 7 Others

Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)

The technical analysis of the recovered black boxes from a jet crash that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, began as the investigation proceeded in cooperation with Libyan authorities, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

The private jet with Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, four other military officials and three crew members crashed on Tuesday after taking off from Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, killing everyone on board. Libyan officials said the cause of the crash was a technical malfunction on the plane.

The high-level Libyan delegation was on its way back to Tripoli after holding defense talks in Ankara aimed at boosting military cooperation between the two countries.

The wreckage was scattered across an area covering 3 square kilometers (more than a square mile), complicating recovery efforts, according to the Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

A 22-person delegation, including five family members, arrived from Libya early on Wednesday to assist in the investigation.


Lebanese President: We are Determined to Hold Parliamentary Elections on Time

President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
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Lebanese President: We are Determined to Hold Parliamentary Elections on Time

President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated on Thursday that the country’s parliamentary elections are a constitutional obligation that must be carried out on time.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency quoted Aoun as saying that he, alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, is determined to hold the elections on schedule.

Aoun also emphasized that diplomatic efforts have continued unabated to keep the specter of war at bay, noting that "things are heading in a positive direction".

The agency also cited Berri reaffirming that the elections will take place as planned, with "no delays, no extensions".

The Lebanese parliamentary elections are scheduled for May next year.