Libyan Parliament Criticizes Algeria for Refusing to Recognize Bashagha's Govt

Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
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Libyan Parliament Criticizes Algeria for Refusing to Recognize Bashagha's Govt

Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)
Libya's Fathi Bashagha, who was appointed prime minister by the eastern-based parliament this month, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Tunis, Tunisia March 30, 2022. Picture taken March 30, 2022. (Reuters)

The east-based Libyan parliament slammed the Algerian government for failing to recognize the government of stability headed by Fathi Bashagha.

Algiers has instead opted to continue to support the Government of National Unity, headed by Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah.

This is the first time the parliament openly criticizes Algeria in defending Bashagha's government, which it backed by a vote of confidence in March.

Head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, Youssef al-Aqoury deemed Algeria's ongoing refusal to recognize Bashagha's government and keep supporting the GNU as meddling in Libya's internal affairs and a violation of the country's sovereignty.

He noted the Algerian position "has never supported the stability of the Libyan people," while the two neighbors enjoy historic and social relations.

Moreover, he highlighted how Libya had stood by the Algerian people in their struggle against colonization.

"We therefore, question the position of the Algerian government, which has completely dismissed all fraternal relations and Libya's sovereignty," he added.

Dbeibah had visited Algeria on April 18 where he held talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Tebboune said at the time that his country supports the Libyan government that is backed by the international community, meaning the GNU.

There can be no solution in Libya without returning to the people, he added.

He urged the need for Libya to hold parliamentary elections so that legitimacy can be restored to the people.

Only the parliament decides the shape of the new government, he added.

Aqoury dismissed the statements, saying the GNU lost its legitimacy when confidence was withdrawn from it and its replacement voted in.

Some countries have exploited the chaos in Libya by looting its oil and mineral wealth, he went on to say, without naming a country in particular.

Those parties hope to see crisis persist in Libya so that they could achieve their narrow interests, he added.

History will attest to those who helped restore stability and peace in Libya, he stressed.



UN Rights Chief ‘Gravely Concerned’ by Lebanon Escalation

Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
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UN Rights Chief ‘Gravely Concerned’ by Lebanon Escalation

Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)

The UN rights chief on Tuesday voiced concern about the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, where his office said nearly 100 people had been reported killed by Israeli airstrikes in recent days, including women, children and medics.

Israel has been locked in fighting with Lebanese armed group Hezbollah since Oct. 2023, and fighting has escalated dramatically since late September of this year.

"UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk is gravely concerned by the escalation in Lebanon with at least 97 people reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes between the 22nd and 24th of November," Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, told a Geneva press briefing.

He said that at least seven paramedics had been reported killed in three Israeli strikes in the south of Lebanon on Nov. 22-23, adding to 226 healthcare worker deaths since Oct. 7, 2023. He did not specify how many of the recent deaths had been verified by UN human rights monitors.

Israel says it targets military capabilities in Lebanon and Gaza and takes steps to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians. It accuses Hezbollah, like Hamas, of hiding among civilians, which they deny.