Bashagha Prepares to Announce Libya Govt Lineup

Then Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia, March 1, 2020. (Reuters)
Then Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia, March 1, 2020. (Reuters)
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Bashagha Prepares to Announce Libya Govt Lineup

Then Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia, March 1, 2020. (Reuters)
Then Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia, March 1, 2020. (Reuters)

Libyan Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bashagha announced that government formation efforts have made progress and that he should unveil a lineup before parliament within the set deadline later this week.

His press office said the concerned committee has started to receive the ministerial candidates and their resumes will be assessed.

The judicial authorities will be contacted to confirm that no criminal impediments can hinder their candidacy.

Meanwhile, head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah sought to gain favor in the western city of Misrata where he alleged that a conspiracy was being plotted against it and the revolution.

He pledged to offer more services to the people as he resisted efforts to isolate him politically.

He was in Misrata to attend a local celebration of the anniversary of the February Revolution.

"Yes to elections," he declared, reiterating his vow to establish a civilian state and hold polls in June.

"We will not abandon you and Libya because the road is still long and they are exploiting this city," he added.

Separately, Speaker of the East-based parliament Aguila Saleh stressed that elections will be held because they are the only realistic guarantee to achieve the will of the Libyan people and end the conflict in the country.

Speaking at the Fourth Conference of the Arab Parliament in Cairo, he said the parliament was disappointed with the failure to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in December.

He blamed the failure on the parties tasked with organizing them in line with the political roadmap.



Over 600 Hospitalized Due to Chlorine Gas Leak in Iraq

An Iraqi flag flutters in southwest Basra, Iraq April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
An Iraqi flag flutters in southwest Basra, Iraq April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
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Over 600 Hospitalized Due to Chlorine Gas Leak in Iraq

An Iraqi flag flutters in southwest Basra, Iraq April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
An Iraqi flag flutters in southwest Basra, Iraq April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo

More than 600 in Iraq were briefly hospitalized with respiratory problems after inhaling chlorine as the result of a leak at a water treatment station, authorities said Sunday.

The incident took place overnight on the route between the two religious cities of Najaf and Karbala, located in the center and south of Iraq respectively.

In a brief statement, Iraq's health ministry said "621 cases of asphyxia have been recorded following a chlorine gas leak in Karbala".

"All have received the necessary care and left hospital in good health," it said, AFP reported.

Security forces charged with protecting visitors meanwhile said the incident had been caused by "a chlorine leak from a water station on the Karbala-Najaf road".

Much of Iraq's infrastructure is in disrepair due to decades of conflict and corruption, with adherence to safety standards often lax.

In July, a massive fire at a shopping mall in the eastern city of Kut killed more than 60 people, many of whom suffocated in the toilets, according to authorities.