UNSMIL Asks About Impact of Proliferation of Arms on Libyans

The UN envoy to Libya, Abdullah Bathily (UN)
The UN envoy to Libya, Abdullah Bathily (UN)
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UNSMIL Asks About Impact of Proliferation of Arms on Libyans

The UN envoy to Libya, Abdullah Bathily (UN)
The UN envoy to Libya, Abdullah Bathily (UN)

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) asked Libyan citizens about the impact of the spread of arms in Libya on them, their families, and their children.

In a tweet on its Twitter account on Disarmament Week, UNSMIL announced that it would like to hear from people in Libya, posing two questions directed to citizens.

The missions asked, “how has the proliferation of arms in Libya personally impacted you and your family?” and “how do you think regularizing the possession of weapons in Libya should start?”

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Abdullah Bathily, said told the Security Council that despite the noticeable decrease in the mobilization of armed groups and clashes among them, there are reports of ongoing large-scale recruitment activities.

The fighting between armed groups in Zawiya, west of Tripoli, on September 25 trapped dozens of families for several hours and left at least three civilians dead, including a 10-year-old girl.



Lebanese Army Says It’s Moving Troops into the Country’s South as Part of Ceasefire Plan

A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
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Lebanese Army Says It’s Moving Troops into the Country’s South as Part of Ceasefire Plan

A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A Lebanese army vehicle drives past destruction in Lebanon's southern village of Bint Jbeil on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)

The Lebanese army said on Wednesday it was moving additional troops into the country's south on Wednesday to extend state authority in coordination with the UN peacekeeping mission there.

“The concerned military units are moving from several areas to the South Litani Sector, where they will be stationed in the locations designated for them,” the Lebanese military said in its first statement since the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire went into effect.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israeli troops would pull out of Lebanon and Hezbollah is required to move its forces north of the Litani River, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border.

The ceasefire agreement gives Israel and Hezbollah fighters 60 days to withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon near the border. Thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers will patrol the area, and an international committee will monitor compliance.

The Lebanese army has largely stood on the sidelines during the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah, although dozens of its soldiers have been killed amid the fighting.

Meanwhile, international aid groups welcomed the ceasefire and urge donors to provide funding to help rebuild parts of Lebanon and assist the displaced.

The aid groups are concerned about the aftershocks of the war on Lebanon’s already struggling economy. With more than 1.2 million people displaced, they warned that the damage would leave many struggling and without homes.

More than 100,000 homes have been either partially or fully destroyed across southern Lebanon, Bekaa and Beirut, the International Rescue Committee said.

Mercy Corps said that half of Lebanon’s population now lives below the poverty line. It called on donors to fulfill pledges to support immediate humanitarian efforts and the long-term recovery.

“There will undoubtedly be a great deal of grief and trauma. Many will have no homes to return to, no schools for their children, and livelihoods destroyed,” Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary-General Jan Egeland said.