Menfi, UN’s Guterres Discuss Latest Developments in Libya

Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday. (Menfi's press office)
Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday. (Menfi's press office)
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Menfi, UN’s Guterres Discuss Latest Developments in Libya

Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday. (Menfi's press office)
Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday. (Menfi's press office)

Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi held talks on Tuesday with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York.

They discussed the latest developments in Libya, including the political impasse that has negatively impacted the fragile security situation.

They also exchanged views on the importance of de-escalating tensions and engaging in genuine dialogue to find a consensual pathway to elections.

Menfi pledged to meet the constitutional demands for the elections, stressing that the Council is still prepared to intervene when necessary.

He congratulated Guterres on appointing Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal as his Special Representative for Libya and expressed readiness to fully cooperate with him to advance the political process in the country.

Menfi had previously hinted during a meeting with a tribal delegation that his Council will intervene using its sovereign authority to determine the legal framework for the electoral process in case the parliament and High Council of State fail to agree on a constitutional basis.

Head of the High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri didn’t comment on Menfi’s remarks, but east-based parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh stressed that it is not within the powers of the Presidential Council to set an electoral constitutional basis.

Prior to his meeting with Guterres, Menfi held talks with the Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, on Monday.

They discussed various political and security issues in Libya and stressed efforts to maintain stability and hold elections there soon.



Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.