Libya: US, UN Welcome Central Bank Reunification

Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Reuters
Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Reuters
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Libya: US, UN Welcome Central Bank Reunification

Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Reuters
Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Reuters

The US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, has welcomed the ongoing efforts to start the reunification process of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), describing it a “historic step, which will contribute to Libya’s financial and political stability”.

This came during his meeting with the Governor of the CBL, Sadiq Al-Kabir, on Friday.

“We encourage the CBL team to continue working in a transparent and committed manner to complete the process expeditiously,” Norland tweeted.

For her part, the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, has urged CBL to move forward with the implementation of the roadmap for its reunification to strengthen the financial and political stability that the country urgently needs.

Libya had two parallel central banks during the civil war, which ended in 2020. One was run by the Tripoli-based and internationally recognized Government of National Accord, and the other by Gen. Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army in the east.

In other news, the Government of National Unity’s Interior Ministry warned against potential terror attacks as the army has arrested a criminal cell linked to extremists in Algeria and Mali.

The ministry, which is based in the capital, Tripoli, said that “there are possibilities of terrorist attacks that may target gatherings, public facilities, security headquarters and vital targets.”

Local media quoted the ministry as saying that it called on its affiliates to “tighten the guard and monitor suspects and arrivals.”

In turn, National Army forces managed to “re-arrest five extremists who succeeded in escaping from the (Reform and Rehabilitation) Institution in the Gernada region.”

Major General Khaled al-Mahjoub revealed that “his forces arrested a criminal gang that trades in weapons and deals with extremist groups in Algeria and Mali.”



Hamas Official Welcomes Trump’s Apparent Retreat on Call to Displace Gazans

US President Donald Trump listens as the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin speaks during a St Patrick's Day reception at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 12 March 2025.  EPA/BONNIE CASH / POOL
US President Donald Trump listens as the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin speaks during a St Patrick's Day reception at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 12 March 2025. EPA/BONNIE CASH / POOL
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Hamas Official Welcomes Trump’s Apparent Retreat on Call to Displace Gazans

US President Donald Trump listens as the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin speaks during a St Patrick's Day reception at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 12 March 2025.  EPA/BONNIE CASH / POOL
US President Donald Trump listens as the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin speaks during a St Patrick's Day reception at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 12 March 2025. EPA/BONNIE CASH / POOL

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem welcomed on Wednesday US President Donald Trump’s apparent retreat from his proposal for a permanent displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, urging him to refrain from aligning with the vision of the "extreme Zionist right."
The statement by the Hamas official came after Trump said on Wednesday that "nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza" in response to a question during a meeting in the White House with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
"If US President Trump's statements represent a retreat from any idea of ​​displacing the people of the Gaza Strip, they are welcomed," Qassem said in the statement.
"We (Hamas) call for this position to be reinforced by obligating the Israeli occupation to implement all the terms of the ceasefire agreements,” Reuters quoted him as saying.
Last month, Trump proposed a US takeover of Gaza where Israel's military assault in the last 17 months has killed tens of thousands, after he earlier suggested that Palestinians in the enclave should be permanently displaced.