Russia Discusses Reopening its Embassy with Libyan Authorities

Russia Discusses Reopening its Embassy with Libyan Authorities
TT

Russia Discusses Reopening its Embassy with Libyan Authorities

Russia Discusses Reopening its Embassy with Libyan Authorities

A Russian delegation has discussed with Libyan officials arrangements for reopening the Russian embassy in Tripoli.

The Libyan Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Consular Affairs, Murad Ahmeima, received a delegation from the Russian Foreign Ministry headed by Director of the Planning Department Haidar Aghanid.

The Russian delegation included the Charge d'Affaires of the embassy in Libya, Djashmed Poltayev, and the mission’s second secretary, Sergei Khabarov.

The meeting focused on the necessary security arrangements for reopening the mission after it had suspended its work in 2013.

The Undersecretary welcomed the Russian delegation and praised their keenness to provide the necessary support to implement the plan to reopen the embassy.

Aghanid stressed the importance of the embassy's presence in Tripoli to support and develop historical relations between the two countries and provide services to citizens wishing to visit Russia.

He said the Russian government was willing to support the bonds of friendship between the two peoples.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.