Libya Seizes ‘Dangerous’ Weapons that Were to Be Smuggled to Egypt

Libyan security agencies announced that they have busted an attempt to smuggle “dangerous” weapons to neighboring Egypt. (AFP file photo)
Libyan security agencies announced that they have busted an attempt to smuggle “dangerous” weapons to neighboring Egypt. (AFP file photo)
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Libya Seizes ‘Dangerous’ Weapons that Were to Be Smuggled to Egypt

Libyan security agencies announced that they have busted an attempt to smuggle “dangerous” weapons to neighboring Egypt. (AFP file photo)
Libyan security agencies announced that they have busted an attempt to smuggle “dangerous” weapons to neighboring Egypt. (AFP file photo)

Libyan security agencies announced that they have busted an attempt to smuggle “dangerous” weapons to neighboring Egypt.

The smuggling operation was to take place through the Jaghbub oasis south of Tobruk city.

Head of security in Tobruk, Sami Idriss said on Saturday the weapons were more sophisticated than the usual kind that have been busted before.

He suspected that the arms are the kind used by terrorist groups, but added that he would leave it to the experts to decide.

Police were tipped off about possible illegal activity in a desert area, prompting a search that led to the discovery of the weapons. The smugglers were also arrested.

Libya and Egypt share a border that stretches over a thousand kilometers.

Since 2013, the Egyptian military has thwarted numerous attempts to smuggle weapons and goods.

International terrorism expert Rida Yaacoub told Asharq All-Awsat that Egypt uses modern technology to secure the border with Libya and deter smuggling operations.

He added that in spite of the success in busting illegal operations by both Egyptian and Libyan authorities, more coordination and intelligence sharing is needed between them.



Israel's Prime Minister Says Anyone Who Murders Hostages Doesn't Want a Cease-Fire Deal

People walk next to the poster depicting Alexander Lobanov, whose body was retrieved from Gaza, displayed together with the posters of other hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 1, 2024. REUTERS/Florion Goga
People walk next to the poster depicting Alexander Lobanov, whose body was retrieved from Gaza, displayed together with the posters of other hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 1, 2024. REUTERS/Florion Goga
TT

Israel's Prime Minister Says Anyone Who Murders Hostages Doesn't Want a Cease-Fire Deal

People walk next to the poster depicting Alexander Lobanov, whose body was retrieved from Gaza, displayed together with the posters of other hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 1, 2024. REUTERS/Florion Goga
People walk next to the poster depicting Alexander Lobanov, whose body was retrieved from Gaza, displayed together with the posters of other hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 1, 2024. REUTERS/Florion Goga

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed sorrow over the deaths of six hostages, saying the killings prove that Hamas does not want a cease-fire deal.
Netanyahu said Sunday that he was heartbroken to hear the news of the hostages’ deaths.
He accused Hamas of killing them in “cold blood” and said Israel would hold the group accountable. He also accused the group of scuttling ongoing cease-fire efforts.
“Whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal,” he said.
Critics in Israel have accused Netanyahu of dragging his feet in cease-fire talks — a charge he denies.
Israel on Sunday said it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including a young Israeli-American man who became one of the most well-known captives held by Hamas as his parents met with world leaders and pressed for his release, including at the Democratic convention last month.
The military said all six had been killed shortly before the arrival of Israeli forces trying to rescue them. Their recovery sparked calls for mass protests against Netanyahu, whom many families of hostages and much of the wider Israeli public blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end the 10-month-old war. Negotiations over such a deal have dragged on for months.
Militants seized Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four of the other hostages at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the war.