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Libya’s Haftar, Menfi, Saleh Return to Cairo for Negotiations

Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar gives a speech during a rally marking the 71st anniversary of the country's independence from Italy in the eastern city of Benghazi on December 24, 2022. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar gives a speech during a rally marking the 71st anniversary of the country's independence from Italy in the eastern city of Benghazi on December 24, 2022. (AFP)
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Libya’s Haftar, Menfi, Saleh Return to Cairo for Negotiations

Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar gives a speech during a rally marking the 71st anniversary of the country's independence from Italy in the eastern city of Benghazi on December 24, 2022. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar gives a speech during a rally marking the 71st anniversary of the country's independence from Italy in the eastern city of Benghazi on December 24, 2022. (AFP)

A new round of negotiations kicked off in Cairo over the weekend between Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, head of the Presidential Council Mohammed al-Menfi and Speaker of the east-based parliament Aguila Saleh.

Haftar and Saleh had arrived in the Egyptian capital on Saturday night, reported various media.

They refrained from making any statements about the talks that will ensue.

Spokespersons for the three officials also declined to comment on their negotiations.

Egyptian and Libyan sources, however, told Asharq Al-Awsat that they will meet with Egyptian officials for talks on several Libyan political and military issues.

They will cover the delayed presidential and parliamentary elections in wake of the recent understandings reached between the parliament and High Council of State. The two bodies had reached agreements over the elections’ constitutional foundations.

Meanwhile, lawmakers revealed that Saleh and head of the High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri will hold a meeting next week to “complete the constitutional path.”

The meeting will be sponsored by United Nations envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily.

The parliament and High Council of State are set to present the constitutional document that they had agreed upon to members of their respective bodies. The document covers the rules and conditions for holding the elections.

The parliament is set to convene in the eastern city of Benghazi on Tuesday and the High Council of State will meet at its Tripoli headquarters on Monday.

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Hezbollah Reiterates Its Refusal to Enter the War

Speaker Nabih Berri (dpa) 
Speaker Nabih Berri (dpa) 
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Hezbollah Reiterates Its Refusal to Enter the War

Speaker Nabih Berri (dpa) 
Speaker Nabih Berri (dpa) 

The US military intervention alongside Israel in its war against Iran has sparked growing concern in Lebanon, mixing fear with uncertainty about what lies ahead, especially as the region awaits Iran’s response.

Lebanese citizens are questioning whether Iran will retaliate solely against Israel or also strike nearby US military bases. Some speculate that Iran might avoid targeting American bases in neighboring countries that have shown solidarity with Tehran, as maintaining these relationships could help Iran push for an end to the war and a return to US-Iranian dialogue.

Despite mounting regional tension, Hezbollah continues to avoid direct military involvement. This position aligns with the recent statements of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who affirmed that Hezbollah will not intervene.

While some interpreted Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem’s pledge of “full support to Iran in any way we deem appropriate” as a divergence, sources say the party is fully aligned with Berri.

Berri maintains that dialogue between Washington and Tehran is the only path to halting the conflict and addressing Iran’s nuclear file. His stance is echoed by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and other political actors.

US envoy Thomas Barrack, currently stationed in Türkiye, reportedly discussed these matters with Lebanese officials and promised to return in three weeks, hoping for progress toward a ceasefire and the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and for weapons to be under the exclusive control of the Lebanese state.

According to sources, the US escalation has prompted behind-the-scenes consultations between Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, and Lebanese state officials. These talks aim to evaluate the situation and ensure Lebanon remains out of the regional conflict.

Hezbollah remains firm in its decision not to engage militarily, refusing to offer Israel a pretext to expand the war into Lebanon. Despite internal solidarity with Iran, Hezbollah is keenly aware that joining the war would not shift the military balance, which now involves advanced weaponry beyond its capabilities.

The sources added that the party is also mindful of Lebanese Shiite public sentiment, which favors stability over another devastating war. Memories of past conflicts, including the toll of Hezbollah’s support for Gaza, linger. Fears of displacement and economic ruin are driving many in Beirut’s southern suburbs to sell their homes, often at steep losses.