Algeria, Turkey Discuss Situation in Libya

 Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, right, and Algeria's Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum pose for photos before their talks, in Ankara, Turkey, Sept. 1, 2020. (AP)
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, right, and Algeria's Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum pose for photos before their talks, in Ankara, Turkey, Sept. 1, 2020. (AP)
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Algeria, Turkey Discuss Situation in Libya

 Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, right, and Algeria's Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum pose for photos before their talks, in Ankara, Turkey, Sept. 1, 2020. (AP)
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, right, and Algeria's Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum pose for photos before their talks, in Ankara, Turkey, Sept. 1, 2020. (AP)

Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Algerian counterpart Sabri Boukadoum stressed the importance of a ceasefire and reaching a political solution to the conflict in Libya.

Speaking to the press after talks in Ankara, Cavusoglu said he discussed with Boukadoum regional issues, saying the developments in Libya affect neighboring Algeria

He reiterated the importance of a ceasefire to achieve a political solution in the country, adding that Turkey and Algeria have been working closely for some time to achieve that objective.

The Turkish minister also accused Libyan National Army (LNA) commander, Khalifa Haftar of pursuing a military solution to the conflict, instead of the political one.

For his part, Boukadoum stressed that his country supports a peaceful solution, adding that Algiers and Ankara will continue to work in coordination for peace and stability in Libya and the whole region.

“We are ready to provide all kind of support for a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis.”

Meanwhile, ItaMilRadar website, which monitors military aircraft, revealed that Turkish flights to Libya are ongoing. It said two Turkish air force Lockheed C-130B/E (61-0963 & 71-01468) had unloaded cargo at Libya’s al-Watiya airbase.

The United Nations and the European Union have repeatedly accused Turkey of violating the arms embargo imposed on Libya. It has transported thousands of mercenaries from its loyal Syrian armed factions to western Libya to support the Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, against the LNA.

Turkey has continued its violations despite the ceasefire that was declared last month. Ankara has yet to officially comment on it.



Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says

Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
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Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says

Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
Syrian pounds are pictured inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria February 3, 2020. Picture taken February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Syria will start swapping old banknotes for new ones under a ​plan to replace Assad-era notes starting from January 1, 2026, Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh said on Thursday.

Husrieh announced the introduction of the new Syrian currency, saying the decree "sets January ‌1, 2026, ‌as the start date ‌for ⁠the ​exchange ‌process". Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters in August that the country will issue new banknotes, removing two zeros from its currency in an attempt to restore ⁠public confidence in the severely devalued pound.

The ‌step is intended ‍to strengthen ‍the Syrian pound after its purchasing ‍power collapsed to record lows following a 14-year conflict that ended with President Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December.

Husrieh ​said the operation will take place through a smooth and orderly ⁠swap - a move bankers hope will ease fears that the new currency could fuel inflation and further erode the purchasing power of Syrians already reeling from high prices.

He added that a press conference will soon outline the exact regulations and mechanisms.


Türkiye Begins Black Box Analysis of Jet Crash That Killed Libyan Military Chief and 7 Others

Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
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Türkiye Begins Black Box Analysis of Jet Crash That Killed Libyan Military Chief and 7 Others

Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)
Libyan national flags fly at half-mast in Tripoli on December 24, 2025, after the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides died in a plane crash in Türkiye. (AFP)

The technical analysis of the recovered black boxes from a jet crash that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, began as the investigation proceeded in cooperation with Libyan authorities, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

The private jet with Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, four other military officials and three crew members crashed on Tuesday after taking off from Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, killing everyone on board. Libyan officials said the cause of the crash was a technical malfunction on the plane.

The high-level Libyan delegation was on its way back to Tripoli after holding defense talks in Ankara aimed at boosting military cooperation between the two countries.

The wreckage was scattered across an area covering 3 square kilometers (more than a square mile), complicating recovery efforts, according to the Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

A 22-person delegation, including five family members, arrived from Libya early on Wednesday to assist in the investigation.


Lebanese President: We are Determined to Hold Parliamentary Elections on Time

President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
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Lebanese President: We are Determined to Hold Parliamentary Elections on Time

President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)
President Joseph Aoun between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri (Lebanese Presidency file photo)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated on Thursday that the country’s parliamentary elections are a constitutional obligation that must be carried out on time.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency quoted Aoun as saying that he, alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, is determined to hold the elections on schedule.

Aoun also emphasized that diplomatic efforts have continued unabated to keep the specter of war at bay, noting that "things are heading in a positive direction".

The agency also cited Berri reaffirming that the elections will take place as planned, with "no delays, no extensions".

The Lebanese parliamentary elections are scheduled for May next year.