Bathily Urges Libyan Politicians to Show Same Spirit as Brothers in Uniform

UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily (LiveStream)
UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily (LiveStream)
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Bathily Urges Libyan Politicians to Show Same Spirit as Brothers in Uniform

UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily (LiveStream)
UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily (LiveStream)

The UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, called on the international community and the Libyan government to support the joint military committee to implement the terms of the “ceasefire agreement.”

Bathily also urged Libyan politicians to follow the example of the military, who he said were “playing a heroic role.”

After the conclusion of the latest meeting of the Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Sirte Monday, Bathily announced that a meeting would be held in upcoming weeks with countries neighboring southern Libya to discuss ways to remove mercenaries.

The envoy highlighted the important decisions that had been taken regarding the mercenaries, specifically with Sudan, Chad, and Niger.

Bathily, who chaired the two-day meetings, commended JMC members for their “determination and commitment towards peace and stability in Libya and its unity and integrity.”

Peace and stability in Libya will considerably facilitate the lives of Libyans, improve the North African nation’s economy, and build better relations and cooperation among Libyan cities, said Bathily.  

He reiterated his call to support the JMC and its committees and said: “This is a matter of great importance and urgent need.”

Bathily added that the JMC meeting also reviewed issues related to countries neighboring Libya’s south, foreign forces, and mercenaries.

According to the envoy, important decisions were taken, and meetings will be held on these issues in the coming weeks.

He called on political leaders “to show the same spirit of unity and abnegation as their brothers in uniform in the Joint Military Commission in order to overcome the current crisis.”

Libyan political analysts unanimously agree on the importance of “supporting the JMC and distancing it from political tensions and power struggles.”

“JMC efforts are the only way to unify the army and expel foreign fighters,” analysts said.



Tunisia Detains Prominent Lawyer Souab

Members of the honor guard stand at attention during a flag-raising in place of Kasba in Tunis, Tunisia, June 26, 2018. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Members of the honor guard stand at attention during a flag-raising in place of Kasba in Tunis, Tunisia, June 26, 2018. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
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Tunisia Detains Prominent Lawyer Souab

Members of the honor guard stand at attention during a flag-raising in place of Kasba in Tunis, Tunisia, June 26, 2018. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi
Members of the honor guard stand at attention during a flag-raising in place of Kasba in Tunis, Tunisia, June 26, 2018. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Tunisian police on Monday detained Ahmed Souab, a prominent lawyer and fierce critic of the country's president, lawyers told Reuters, raising human rights groups' concerns that a crackdown on dissent will go ahead.

Souab is among the lawyers acting for opposition leaders who received lengthy prison sentences on Saturday on conspiracy charges.

Souab strongly criticized the judge and the trial on Friday, calling it a farce and saying the judiciary had been completely destroyed.

"It seems he was detained because of his critical comments on the trial on Friday," said Samir Dilou, one of Souab's lawyers. Two others lawyers confirmed the detention.

Political parties rejected the rulings, saying they were retaliatory after a trial aimed at cementing President Kais Saied's authoritarian rule.

Rights groups say Saied has had full control over the judiciary since he dissolved parliament in 2021 and began ruling by decree. He dissolved the independent Supreme Judicial Council and sacked dozens of judges in 2022.

"The mass conviction of dissidents...is a disturbing indication of the authorities' willingness to go ahead with its crackdown on peaceful dissent," the human rights group Amnesty International said.

Those convicted included prominent leaders of the Islamist Ennahda party, the main opposition party to Saied.

Ennahda Vice President, Noureddine Bhiri received a 43-year prison sentence, while the court sentenced two senior party officials, Said Ferjani and Sahbi Atig, to ​​13 years each.

The largest sentence was 66 years for businessman Kamel Ltaif, while opposition politician Khyam Turki received a 48-year sentence.