Libya Announces Arrangements to Reopen Iranian Embassy in Tripoli

The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)
The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)
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Libya Announces Arrangements to Reopen Iranian Embassy in Tripoli

The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)
The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)

The Libyan Foreign and International Cooperation Ministry of Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah’s interim Government of National Unity (GNU) announced on Sunday that efforts are underway to resume the work of the Iranian embassy in the capital, Tripoli.

Foreign and International Cooperation Minister Najla Al-Mangoush met with Iran's ambassador to Libya, Mohamed Reza, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

On its Facebook page, the Ministry wrote that Al-Mangoush tackled with Reza the activation of the joint economic committee between their countries and arrangements for the reopening of the Iranian embassy in Tripoli.

The meeting tackled regional and international developments. Al-Magnoush said Libya welcomes the reestablishment of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, saying the agreement they reached last week will be significant for the stability of the region.

The Iranian embassy in Tripoli closed its doors in wake of the February 2011 revolution, following remarks by former mufti Sadiq al-Ghariani who accused Tehran of “spreading Shiism in Libya.”

In February 2015, the residence of the Iranian ambassador was attacked by a car bomb. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack that did not leave heavy damage.



North Korea's Kim Makes Rare Visit to Russian Embassy as Ties Deepen

A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su
A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su
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North Korea's Kim Makes Rare Visit to Russian Embassy as Ties Deepen

A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su
A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang with his daughter on Friday to celebrate Russia's Victory Day to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, state media said.

Kim said North Korea will "consolidate and develop the long tradition of the DPRK-Russia relations, the noble ideological foundation and the invincible alliance", KCNA reported.

North Korea's unprecedented deployment of thousands of troops, as well as huge amounts of artillery ammunition and missiles, has helped Russia push back a Ukrainian incursion into its western Kursk region. It has also brought North Korea and Russia - both economically and politically isolated - closer.

About 600 North Korean troops have been killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine out of a total deployment of 15,000, according to the South Korean intelligence.

In return, Pyongyang appears to have received technical assistance on satellites, as well as drones and anti-aircraft missiles, South Korea has said.

Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two on Friday with a military parade attended by China's Xi Jinping that Moscow fears Ukraine will try to disrupt after three years of a full-scale Russian invasion.

"Pyongyang and Moscow will always be together," said North Korea's foreign minister Choe Son Hui, according to KCNA.

Pyongyang and Moscow have denied the weapons trade, although the two countries have confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops on the frontlines in Russia's Kursk region.