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Palestinians Call for Mechanism to Secure UNRWA Funds

UNRWA's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan at the meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo last month (AP)
UNRWA's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan at the meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo last month (AP)
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Palestinians Call for Mechanism to Secure UNRWA Funds

UNRWA's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan at the meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo last month (AP)
UNRWA's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan at the meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo last month (AP)

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) called Wednesday for an international mechanism to secure multi-year financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

This came on the eve of a donors’ conference held by UNRWA at the ministerial level on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York.

Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Ahmad Abu Holi, urged the donor countries to adopt a unified strategy to support UNRWA.

He stressed the need to find a mechanism to secure multi-year support that would achieve financial stability for the Agency’s budget and therefore ensure the sustainability of its services to Palestinian refugees.

Abu Holi noted that the donors’ conference should discuss allocating fixed contributions to UNRWA, whether from the UN or from other donors, in addition to voluntary contributions.

The Palestinian official then expressed his hope that the major donor countries will also allocate fixed contributions to support UNRWA’s regular budget for the coming years, adding that this budget is based on a work strategy for the years 2023-2028 and that it will be presented in its final form at the donors meeting.

Earlier, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called for raising the financial contribution allocated by the UN to UNRWA. He said this support should be capable to cover any expected financial deficit in its budget in the coming years.

Meanwhile, Abu Holi stressed that the conference is particularly important as it will be held at the level of foreign ministers of donor countries and member states of the UN, with the participation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

“Such attendance gives great and strong political support to UNRWA,” he said.

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UN Mission Affirms Priority to Unify Libya’s Military

Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, met on Thursday with General Mohammed Al-Haddad (UNSMIL) 
Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, met on Thursday with General Mohammed Al-Haddad (UNSMIL) 
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UN Mission Affirms Priority to Unify Libya’s Military

Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, met on Thursday with General Mohammed Al-Haddad (UNSMIL) 
Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, met on Thursday with General Mohammed Al-Haddad (UNSMIL) 

Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Hanna Tetteh, held talks on Thursday with General Mohammed Al-Haddad, Chief of General Staff of the Libyan Army.

The two officials discussed the current developments in the country and ways to unify the military, which is divided between the west and east of Libya.

“Tetteh and Al-Haddad emphasized that the unification of the military should remain a priority for authorities across Libya, as the security and stability of the country are crucial for any political process to move forward,” UNSMIL said in a statement.

They also explored how the UN Mission can effectively support Libya's efforts towards unifying military institutions, enhancing border security, and addressing other key areas of national security, it added.

In Tripoli, Tetteh also met with Acting Libyan Interior Minister, Imad Trabelsi.

The two sides exchanged views on the current situation and on how the Mission can support Libyan efforts in enhancing security provision, de-escalating tensions, and promoting dialogue between authorities and communities.

They also discussed the Ministry’s key role in election security and in contributing to a safe environment conducive to an effective political process.

Later, Tetteh and Secretary-General Deputy Special Representative, Stephanie Koury, met with the Libyan Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, Houria Al-Tormal, to discuss the importance of women’s inclusion in the political process and their role in decision-making.

Tetteh reaffirmed UNSMIL’s commitment to supporting the Libyan government’s efforts to promote women’s empowerment programs and ensure their meaningful participation in achieving sustainable development and stability in Libya.

Separately, Director General of the Development and Reconstruction Fund of Libya, Belqasim Haftar, met in Rome, with Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, to discuss ways to develop joint cooperation between the two sides in the fields of development and reconstruction. Talks focused mainly on the sectors of health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, transportation and air freight and on resuming flights between Libya and Italy.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of the Government of National Stability, Osama Hammad, issued on Thursday a directive prohibiting all ministers, deputy ministers, and heads of public institutions from sharing or disseminating any news related to public affairs without prior approval from the Communications and Media Department at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The decision came after the controversy caused when Libya’s Justice Minister issued a statement on his social media account, affirming the release of Hannibal Gaddafi.

Hannibal, the son of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, has been detained for years in Lebanon.

The Prime Minister stressed that ministry-affiliated media outlets should strictly focus on covering the daily activities of their respective ministries while ensuring continuous oversight from the PM’s Office to maintain accuracy and prevent the spread of misinformation.