Head of Libya’s GNU: Time of Military Coups Is Over

Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)
Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)
TT
20

Head of Libya’s GNU: Time of Military Coups Is Over

Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)
Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)

Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah declared that the “time of military coups is over.”

In remarks on International Youth Day on Friday, he vowed to prevent war from again erupting in the country.

“We don’t want wars and those seeking destruction must look at the missing, amputees and martyrs. We say to those who want power through military coups that their time is over,” he stressed.

He added that his message is addressed to those “who want destruction and a return to war.” He stressed, however, that “there can be no turning back.”

Moreover, Dbeibah said the will of the people cannot be ignored.

He accused the east-based parliament and the High Council of State of extending their own terms to prolong the transitional period rather than hold elections.

“We have no choice but to hold elections,” stressed Dbeibah. “We support the staging of free and transparent polls.”

Turning to the parliament, he urged: “Stop meddling with the people. Approve constitutional regulations so that we can hold the elections.”

Later, Dbeibah attended an event in al-Khoms city to announce residential loans to needy youths and families.

Local media said Dbeibah attempted to appeal to the youth, while some members of the crowd chanted “Al-Fateh”, a reference to late ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi.



Activist Aid Ship Nears Gaza After Reaching Egypt Coast

 Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
TT
20

Activist Aid Ship Nears Gaza After Reaching Egypt Coast

 Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)

An aid ship with 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, has reached the Egyptian coast and is nearing the besieged Palestinian territory, organizers said on Saturday.

The Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Sicily last week with a cargo of relief supplies "to break Israel's blockade on Gaza".

"We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast," German human rights activist Yasemin Acar told AFP. "We are all good," she added.

In a statement from London on Saturday, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza -- a member organization of the flotilla coalition -- said the ship had entered Egyptian waters.

The group said it remains in contact with international legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of those on board, warning that any interception would constitute "a blatant violation of international humanitarian law".

European parliament member Rima Hassan, who is on board the vessel, urged governments to "guarantee safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla."

The Palestinian territory was under Israeli naval blockade even before the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that sparked the Gaza war and Israel has enforced its blockade with military action in the past.

A 2010 commando raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of a similar aid flotilla trying to breach the blockade, left 10 civilians dead.

In May, another Freedom Flotilla ship, the Conscience, reported coming under drone attack while en route for Gaza, prompting Cyprus and Malta to send rescue vessels in response to its distress call. There were no reports of any casualties.

Earlier in its voyage, the Madleen changed course near the Greek island of Crete after receiving a distress signal from a sinking migrant boat.

Activists rescued four Sudanese migrants who had jumped into the sea to avoid being returned to Libya. The four were later transferred to an EU Frontex vessel.

Launched in 2010, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a coalition of groups opposed to the blockade on humanitarian aid for Gaza that Israel imposed on March 2 and has only partially eased since.

Israel has faced mounting international condemnation over the resulting humanitarian crisis in the territory, where the United Nations has warned the entire population of more than two million is at risk of famine.