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 Strikes Beirut's Southern Suburbs once Again

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Israel Strikes Beirut's Southern Suburbs once Again

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s Haret Hreik area in the southern suburbs again on Friday after evacuation warnings were issued to residents prior to the attacks by an Israeli spokesman.
The Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents in the areas of al-Hadath and Haret Hreik, as well as several villages in Lebanon’s south requesting they move to north of Awwali River.
When it issues such a warning, Israel cites alleged presence of Hezbollah fighters or infrastructure in civilian areas as a justification for its airstrikes.
Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army, issued an evacuation warning to the residents of the towns of Tayba, Aadchit, Qusayr, and Deir Seryan, as well as to the residents of the towns of Burj al-Shamali and Maashuq in southern Lebanon.
He also requested the evacuation of residents from specific buildings in Hadath and Haret Hreik in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Later during the day, Lebanon’s health ministry said two medics were killed in the Israeli strikes on a southern Lebanon town.

Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,583 people and wounded 15,244 in Lebanon since October 2023, with 25 fatalities reported on Wednesday, the Lebanese health ministry said on Thursday.