Bashagha Vows to Achieve Aspirations of Libyan People

Libyan prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha (Reuters)
Libyan prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha (Reuters)
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Bashagha Vows to Achieve Aspirations of Libyan People

Libyan prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha (Reuters)
Libyan prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha (Reuters)

Prime minister-designate Fathi Bashagha renewed his pledge to hold elections and to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people.

Bashagha discussed with France's Special Envoy to Libya, Paul Soler, the latest developments in Libya.

The French embassy announced that Soler agreed with Bashagha on the need to preserve the unity of Libya and hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections in all parts of the country.

They also stressed the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire agreement signed through the 5+5 Joint Military Committee.

Bashagha's media office said the PM-designate affirmed with Soler that the government's primary goal is to hold the elections, achieve the people's aspirations, and ensure the unity of Libya.

The US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, said he admired the determination of the leaders of 19 Libyan political parties to help restore momentum towards elections.

Norland, and his British counterpart, Caroline Hurndall, met on Tuesday with the leaders of 19 Libyan political parties during consultations in Tunisia hosted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

"UK Ambassador Caroline Hurndall and I both witnessed their contagious enthusiasm. I admire their determination to help Libya restore momentum towards elections. The US stands with them in this effort,” said the US diplomat.

Meanwhile, 76 members of the House of Representatives rejected the formation of committees outside the framework of the 12th constitutional amendment.

They said any dialogue outside this framework is "unconstitutional," rejecting any new talks before the legitimate government assumes its duties within the capital and extends its influence over the entire country.

The lawmakers demanded that the UN mission commits to its role in supporting the political process and respecting any inter-Libyan agreement.

They affirmed the parliament's commitment to holding the elections without delay.

The parliament's spokesman, Abdullah Blehaq, said that the statement issued by 76 MPs agrees with the general direction of the House.

He said that all the expenses of the "unity" government, except the salaries, violated the law after forming the new Bashagha government.

Blehaq denied issuing any decision regarding forming a committee according to the proposal of Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Williams.

Foreign Minister Najla al-Manqoush said that the UN mission is working hard to establish a constitutional basis for the elections to be held by the end of the year.



Syria Announces 200 Percent Public Sector Wage, Pension Increase

FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
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Syria Announces 200 Percent Public Sector Wage, Pension Increase

FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo

Syria announced on Sunday a 200 percent hike in public sector wages and pensions, as it seeks to address a grinding economic crisis after the recent easing of international sanctions.

Over a decade of civil war has taken a heavy toll on Syria's economy, with the United Nations reporting more than 90 percent of its people live in poverty.

In a decree published by state media, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a "200 percent increase to salaries and wages... for all civilian and military workers in public ministries, departments and institutions.”

Under the decree, the minimum wage for government employees was raised to 750,000 Syrian pounds per month, or around $75, up from around $25, AFP reported.

A separate decree granted the same 200 percent increase to retirement pensions included under current social insurance legislation.

Last month, the United States and European Union announced they would lift economic sanctions in a bid to help the country's recovery.

Also in May, Syria's Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Qatar would help it pay some public sector salaries.

The extendable arrangement was for $29 million a month for three months, and would cover "wages in the health, education and social affairs sectors and non-military" pensions, he had said.

Barnieh had said the grant would be managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and covered around a fifth of current wages and salaries.

Syria has some 1.25 million public sector workers, according to official figures.