عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Amid Spat with Bashagha, GNA Introduces Sudden Military Changes

Libyan demonstrators gather during an anti-government protest in Tripoli on August 25, 2020. (Reuters)
Libyan demonstrators gather during an anti-government protest in Tripoli on August 25, 2020. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Amid Spat with Bashagha, GNA Introduces Sudden Military Changes

Libyan demonstrators gather during an anti-government protest in Tripoli on August 25, 2020. (Reuters)
Libyan demonstrators gather during an anti-government protest in Tripoli on August 25, 2020. (Reuters)

Head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj appointed a new defense minister and chief of staff in what was interpreted as a move against suspended Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha.

The minister had recently returned to the North African country from a trip to Turkey and was given a big reception by officers and supporters and even an unprecedented military parade to mark his arrival back home.

Bashagha was suspended by the GNA over his handling of street protests and his violent crackdown against them. People had taken to the streets to protest against poor services and living conditions.

The GNA said it will investigate Bashagha.

Bashagha appeared to defy the GNA by being escorted to his home from the airport by a very large convoy that made its way through the capital, Tripoli, where Sarraj's government is based. He was also accompanied by allied armed factions.

Local media reported that protesters in western Tripoli celebrated Bashagha's return by chanting against Syrian mercenaries that have been brought in by Turkey to prop up the GNA forces.

In remarks from the airport, the minister said: "I am not opposed to any group or individual. I am speaking about a sick phenomenon called corruption."

He later said he will comply with the GNA request to investigate him, despite his legal misgivings. He vowed that he will continue his fight against corruption, inside and outside the government.

Separately, Sarraj appointed Mohammed al-Haddad as chief of staff, replacing Mohammed al-Sharif. Salah Namroush was also promoted to Defense Minister, a position that was occupied by Sarraj.

Haddad is a native of the coastal city of Misrata, 200 kilometer east of Tripoli. Misrata is a stronghold of armed groups that have fought alongside the GNA against the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar.

The appointments were announced days after Sarraj announced a government reshuffle amid mounting popular anger in Tripoli and other cities in western Libya that are controlled by the GNA.

Separately, deputy head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Stephanie Williams held talks in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and head of intelligence Abbas Kamel.

Discussions focused on means to end the escalation in Libya and the need for an immediate return to a comprehensive UN-sponsored political process.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
TT
TT

Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.

Arab World

Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
TT
TT

Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.

Arab World

Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
TT
TT

Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.