Libya’s GNA Factions Clash Amid Increasing 'Popular Discontent'

Libyans protest at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)
Libyans protest at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)
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Libya’s GNA Factions Clash Amid Increasing 'Popular Discontent'

Libyans protest at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)
Libyans protest at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli, Libya (File photo: Reuters)

Disputes between factions of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), chaired by Fayez al-Sarraj, have increased over calls for rallies against the cabinet in the capital Tripoli.

Sarraj’s deputy, Ahmed Maiteeq, has asked the military prosecutor in Tripoli to take measures against Tripoli military official, Abdulbaset Marwan.

Recently, Marwan accused Maiteeq and other members of the GNA Presidential Council of working for local and foreign powers seeking to topple the GNA chief.

Maiteeq asked the military prosecutor to investigate this issue and take legal action against it, in accordance with the penal code and military procedures, and provide him with the result within 48 hours.

However, this did not prevent the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense, Salah al-Din al-Namroush, from siding with Sarraj amid calls for protests against him.

On Saturday, Sarraj met with officials from auditing and accounting agencies, stressing the importance of cooperation and coordination amid current circumstances. He said that the agencies should establish the principle of integrity, transparency, and the rules of governance.

Hundreds of citizens marched in Zawiya and Tripoli on Friday amid growing popular anger over the performance of the GNA, and chanted against Sarraj protesting the deterioration of public services and the ongoing fuel and electricity crisis.

In Egypt, Speaker Aguila Saleh resumed a series of international and regional meetings within the framework of the efforts aimed at reaching a solution for the Libyan crisis.

Saleh is expected to meet with the US ambassador to Cairo, Jonathan Cohen, and discuss Libyan developments. He will also meet with Western delegations, in addition to Egyptian officials.

Meanwhile, the administration of US President Donald Trump indicated it aims to find a solution for the Libyan crisis, demilitarize Sirte and al-Jufra, and resume the services of the Libyan oil sector with full transparency.

The US embassy in Libya issued in a statement on Friday announcing that a US delegation, led by National Security Council Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa Major General Miguel Correa and Ambassador Richard Norland, held virtual discussions with Libyan officials to advance concrete, urgent steps to find a demilitarized solution for Sirte and al-Jufra.

The embassy stated that Norland also held virtual discussions with the National Security Advisor Taj al-Din al-Rezagi and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Yousef al-Agouri, Major General Correa.

The Ambassador underscored the need for a Libyan-led process to reclaim the country’s sovereignty and eject foreign forces.

“The United States will continue to actively engage a range of Libyan leaders who are ready to reject harmful foreign interference, de-escalate, and come together to realize a peaceful solution that benefits all Libyans,” according to the statement.

In addition, Norland spoke by telephone with PM Sarraj on recent efforts to finalize a Libyan solution that would consolidate a lasting ceasefire, promote transparency in economic institutions, and advance the political process under UN auspices.

According to the embassy, the Ambassador commended Sarraj’s leadership as responsible Libyan parties coming together to implement a demilitarized solution in central Libya and enable the National Oil Corporation to resume its vital work on behalf of all Libyans.

The Embassy “will remain actively involved with all Libyan parties, including the Government of National Accord and the House of Representatives, that reject foreign interference and seek to come together in peaceful dialogue."



Iraq Closes Three Iran Crossings, Pursues Those Behind Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Travelers at the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia on September 12, 2026 (Reuters)
Travelers at the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia on September 12, 2026 (Reuters)
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Iraq Closes Three Iran Crossings, Pursues Those Behind Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Travelers at the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia on September 12, 2026 (Reuters)
Travelers at the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia on September 12, 2026 (Reuters)

Iraq closed three border crossings with Iran on Saturday, officials told AFP, after a drone attack on a Saudi Arabian pipeline that both Riyadh and Baghdad said was launched from Iraq.

An Iraqi security source and a government official told AFP that authorities ordered the closing of three border crossings with Iran.

The security source said the decision was "part of an intelligence effort to track down the perpetrators and prevent their escape... and to hinder the smuggling of drones through these crossings".

Both sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak to the media, could not specify when the crossings would reopen.

The closed crossings are Shalamsheh in Basra province, al-Shib in Missan and al-Mandali in the central province of Diyala.

Other border crossings with Iran are still open.

A security official said that "security forces found drone launchers near the Iraq-Iran border in the al-Tib" region, a remote part of Missan, close to the al-Shib crossing. A second security source gave the same account.

Military spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said the prime minister had approved "Iran's request to conduct a joint investigation into finding drone launch platforms near the Iraq-Iran border".

The government's security media cell said earlier that authorities "have started administrative and security reorganization operations at several border crossings".

It added that they had stepped up "intelligence activities" to determine "the breaches and violations that took place at these crossings".

It later announced that passengers stranded for hours at two crossings were permitted to pass.


Al-Halbousi Condemns Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Iraqi Speaker of parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi speaks with the news media as he departs the Department of State after meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Washington, on March 28, 2019. (AP)
Iraqi Speaker of parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi speaks with the news media as he departs the Department of State after meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Washington, on March 28, 2019. (AP)
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Al-Halbousi Condemns Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Iraqi Speaker of parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi speaks with the news media as he departs the Department of State after meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Washington, on March 28, 2019. (AP)
Iraqi Speaker of parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi speaks with the news media as he departs the Department of State after meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Washington, on March 28, 2019. (AP)

Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives Haibat Al-Halbousi strongly condemned the attacks targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that originated from within Iraqi territory.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Al-Halbousi rejected the use of Iraq's territory or airspace to threaten Saudi Arabia's security or that of any neighboring state, describing such actions as unacceptable violations that contradict Iraq's national interests, stated foreign policy, and regional relations.

Al-Halbousi emphasized the critical need to restrict weapons exclusively to the state and its constitutional institutions under the authority of the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.

He stressed that enforcing state control over arms is vital to reinforcing national sovereignty, preserving domestic stability, and preventing Iraq from being drawn into wider regional conflicts.


Lebanese Army Detains Bashar Assad’s Relative on Weapons and Drugs Charges

Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad - File Photo
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad - File Photo
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Lebanese Army Detains Bashar Assad’s Relative on Weapons and Drugs Charges

Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad - File Photo
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad - File Photo

Lebanese authorities have detained a relative of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad along with the son of a notorious drug dealer in northeast Lebanon on charges of carrying weapons and drugs, officials and the Lebanese army said Saturday.

Suleiman Assad and Ali Zeiter, son of Noah Zeiter, the suspected drug trafficker arrested last year, were detained Friday near the northeastern city of Baalbek, said the two judicial officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Suleiman Assad is the son of Hilal Assad, a cousin of the ousted president, The AP news reported.

A number of Syrian officials and relatives of Assad have fled from Syria to other countries including Lebanon, after the five-decade Assad family rule came to an end in December 2024, when the opposition seized power. Bashar Assad and his younger brother, Maher, have been living in Russia.

The Lebanese army said in a statement that it detained three people, including a Syrian citizen who did not have documents proving that he is staying legally in Lebanon.

The army said they had weapons with them along with hashish, a drug that is processed from cannabis that are widely planted in northeast Lebanon. The army did not release the names but the initials of their first and family names matched those of Assad and Zeiter. The army said they were questioned under the supervision of judicial officials.

The arrest of Suleiman Assad comes weeks after Lebanon handed over to Syrian authorities a retired major general who commanded a division in Bashar Assad’s army.