Russia's Putin, France's Macron Call for Libya Ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan June 28, 2019. (Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan June 28, 2019. (Reuters)
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Russia's Putin, France's Macron Call for Libya Ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan June 28, 2019. (Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan June 28, 2019. (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron called on Friday for a ceasefire in Libya and a return to dialogue, the Kremlin said in a statement following a phone call between the two leaders.

On Thursday, France, Germany and Italy called on forces in Libya to cease fighting and for outside parties to stop any interference in a bid to try and get political talks back on track.

“In light of the growing risks of a deterioration of the situation in Libya ... France, Germany and Italy call on all Libyan parties to immediately and unconditionally cease fighting,” the countries said in a joint statement.

“They also urge foreign actors to end all interference and to fully respect the arms embargo established by the United Nations Security Council.”

Ties between NATO allies France and Turkey have soured in recent weeks over the Libyan conflict.



Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
TT

Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world.

The UN health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more.

WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat.

Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah in the country two months ago.

The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday.