Libya’s Saleh, Mishri to Meet Soon

 A previous parliament session in Libya. (House of Representatives)
A previous parliament session in Libya. (House of Representatives)
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Libya’s Saleh, Mishri to Meet Soon

 A previous parliament session in Libya. (House of Representatives)
A previous parliament session in Libya. (House of Representatives)

Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives (HoR) Aguila Saleh is preparing to hold a new round of Turkish-mediated talks with the Chairman of the High Council of State (HCS), Khalid al-Mishri, in an attempt to resolve the outstanding differences over the “constitutional basis” for the postponed presidential and parliamentary elections.

The parliament resumed its meetings on Monday at its headquarters in Benghazi, east of Libya, amid a surprise absence of its speaker.

Parliamentary sources said in a press statement that Saleh, who is preparing to visit Türkiye again to meet with Mishri, is currently in Cairo.

Parliament spokesman Abdullah Blehaq announced in a briefed statement the start of the session, chaired by its first deputy speaker, Fawzi al-Noueiri, to discuss a number of draft laws included in its agenda. The session also tackled the bill on salaries.

Mishri and Saleh had agreed in Rabat in October on the implementation of the article on sovereign posts, addressed in the Bouznika agreement, before the end of the year.

They also agreed on the resumption of dialogue with the aim of holding presidential and parliamentary elections with the agreement of the parliament and High Council of State.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
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Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.