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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)
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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.

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Arab World

Israel Begins Demolitions Inside UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem

A photograph shows a demolished structure inside the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 20, 2026. (AFP)
A photograph shows a demolished structure inside the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 20, 2026. (AFP)
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Israel Begins Demolitions Inside UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem

A photograph shows a demolished structure inside the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 20, 2026. (AFP)
A photograph shows a demolished structure inside the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 20, 2026. (AFP)

Israeli bulldozers began demolishing structures inside the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in east Jerusalem on Tuesday, an AFP photographer saw, with the Israeli foreign ministry defending the move.

"UNRWA-Hamas had already ceased its operations at this site and no longer had any UN personnel or UN activity there. The compound does not enjoy any immunity and the seizure of this compound by Israeli authorities was carried out in accordance with both Israeli and international law," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas, claiming that some of its employees took part in the group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.

Arab World

Hamas Leaders Prepare for 'Safe Exit' from Gaza, Amid Doubts Over Return

A Palestinian child is seen as fighters from Hamas’ Qassam Brigades search for the bodies of Israeli hostages in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, last December. (EPA)
A Palestinian child is seen as fighters from Hamas’ Qassam Brigades search for the bodies of Israeli hostages in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, last December. (EPA)
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Hamas Leaders Prepare for 'Safe Exit' from Gaza, Amid Doubts Over Return

A Palestinian child is seen as fighters from Hamas’ Qassam Brigades search for the bodies of Israeli hostages in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, last December. (EPA)
A Palestinian child is seen as fighters from Hamas’ Qassam Brigades search for the bodies of Israeli hostages in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, last December. (EPA)

Sources within Hamas in Gaza revealed that senior figures in the movement are preparing for a “safe exit” from the enclave following arrangements related to Gaza’s future under the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which the United States announced had begun last week.

Three Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that several prominent political and military leaders who survived the war are preparing to leave the territory. One source said the departure would be voluntary and carried out under specific arrangements, with full coordination with the Hamas leadership abroad. Another source noted that other leaders, particularly military figures, categorically reject leaving Gaza under any circumstances.

Throughout nearly two years of war, Hamas officials have repeatedly stated their rejection of removing the movement’s leadership from the Strip.

The sources separately provided Asharq Al-Awsat with the names of several leaders believed likely to depart, though it is refraining from publishing them due to the inability to contact them promptly. Some of these figures were recently appointed to leadership positions in Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza as part of new organizational arrangements aimed at rebuilding and restructuring the movement.

According to the same sources, a number of former prisoners released in the 2011 exchange deal for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit — who now oversee key portfolios within Hamas leadership — are expected to be among those traveling to Türkiye.

However, a senior Hamas leader based outside Gaza denied the reports, telling Asharq Al-Awsat that the issue of leaders leaving the Strip “has not been raised.”

Another source inside Gaza declined to comment, saying only that he had no knowledge of the matter.

Sources in Gaza said the exit would likely be “without return, at least for several years,” with those leaders likely to end up residing in several countries. Other sources said some leaders would leave temporarily to hold meetings in Egypt with security officials on critical issues related to Gaza’s governmental security forces and other key files, before returning to the Strip.

In September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News that Israel was considering providing safe passage for Hamas leaders to leave Gaza under certain conditions, as part of a plan being prepared by US President Donald Trump, which entered into force in October.

Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Hamas leaders would most likely head to Qatar or Türkiye if they left Gaza. Israel’s Channel 12 previously reported that Hamas officials told US officials they were prepared to accept a limited relocation of military leaders and some operatives from Gaza.

On Jan. 14, US envoy Steve Witkoff officially announced the launch of the second phase of the ceasefire, which includes Hamas relinquishing control of Gaza, establishing a Palestinian technocratic committee to administer the enclave, initiating a comprehensive disarmament process, and launching large-scale reconstruction projects.

Hamas welcomed the announcement, saying it had fulfilled all requirements for completing the first phase and moving to the second, while continuing discussions with mediators over options regarding its weapons and those of other Palestinian factions.

Arab World

China Confirms Invited to Join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. (Reuters)
Displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. (Reuters)
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China Confirms Invited to Join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. (Reuters)
Displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. (Reuters)

Beijing confirmed on Tuesday that China had been invited to join US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace".

"China has received the United States' invitation," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing, without specifying whether Beijing would accept the invitation.

The board was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of war-torn Gaza, but the charter does not appear to limit its role to the occupied Palestinian territory.

Washington has asked various leaders to sit on the board, chaired by Trump, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian premier Viktor Orban and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Guo said China-US relations had achieved overall stability in the past year, despite a trade war that saw both countries impose tit-for-tat tariffs on each others' products.

"Over the past year, China-US relations have experienced ups and downs, but have maintained overall dynamic stability," Guo told reporters.

"Cooperation between China and the US benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both," he added.