عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Arab League, UN, EU and AU Demand Foreign Forces Leave Libya

Turkish-trained members of Libya's special forces demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony in the coastal city al-Khums, about 120kms east of the capital Tripoli, on April 8, 2021 - AFP
Turkish-trained members of Libya's special forces demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony in the coastal city al-Khums, about 120kms east of the capital Tripoli, on April 8, 2021 - AFP
TT
TT

Arab League, UN, EU and AU Demand Foreign Forces Leave Libya

Turkish-trained members of Libya's special forces demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony in the coastal city al-Khums, about 120kms east of the capital Tripoli, on April 8, 2021 - AFP
Turkish-trained members of Libya's special forces demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony in the coastal city al-Khums, about 120kms east of the capital Tripoli, on April 8, 2021 - AFP

The Arab League, United Nations, European Union and the African Union on Tuesday demanded an immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from Libya.

In a statement after a videoconference by its leaders, the Libya Quartet demanded "full compliance with the arms embargo and the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from the entirety of Libya's territory."

The much-violated arms embargo has been in place since 2011, when an uprising toppled longtime Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi during the regional upheaval known as the Arab Spring, AFP reported.

The UN estimates that some 20,000 foreign fighters, mainly troops from Turkey and mercenaries from Russia, Syria, Chad and Sudan, are currently deployed in the country.

In recent weeks, the possible departure of Syrian mercenaries has been raised and, this weekend, N'Djamena mentioned the arrival in Chad from Libya of several hundred Chadian mercenaries who may have contributed to the fighting that led to the death of President Idriss Deby.

During its meeting, the Libya Quartet "condemned the continued violations of the UN arms embargo and emphasized that all external military intervention in Libya is unacceptable."

It also called for "the sustained implementation of measures to fully identify and dismantle these groups."

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details of Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
TT
TT

Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details of Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)

The parties involved in negotiations in the Qatari capital were on Tuesday hoping to finalize a plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip and agree on a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel.

It is likely that the agreement would be announced on Tuesday, unless new obstacles or conditions are imposed by Israel, several sources said. The deal, if reached, is expected to take effect 48 hours after the announcement.

Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the first phase of the agreement will last 60 days. They said Israeli ground forces will gradually withdraw from the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors.

The sources familiar with the negotiations in Doha explained that the withdrawal from the Netzarim axis will be immediate. The withdrawal from the Philadelphia axis will begin gradually after 40 to 50 days from the start of the first phase.

Displaced people will be allowed to return on foot starting the seventh day of the ceasefire, without any searches. However, vehicles returning from southern Gaza to the north will be inspected using X-ray scanning equipment operated by Egyptian-Qatari companies, under the supervision and monitoring of several parties, including Israel, to prevent the transport of weapons.

The sources revealed that an agreement was reached on Monday night on a mechanism for the redeployment of Israeli forces, allowing them to remain in the border perimeter at varying distances of up to 700 meters, particularly in areas north of the Gaza Strip.

They clarified that after 40 days, the gradual withdrawal will begin from all areas of the Palestinian enclave, in preparation for negotiations concerning the second phase, during which Israeli forces will make a full withdrawal.

The Palestinian resistance will release women, children, and the elderly in exchange for the release of 1,000 prisoners from Gaza who were arrested during the current war, on the condition that they were not involved in the October 7, 2023, attack, the sources said.

They noted that in the first phase, 200 prisoners serving long sentences will also be released.

Regarding the Rafah crossing, the sources confirmed that it will be gradually reopened, allowing the passage of those who are sick and humanitarian cases out of the enclave for treatment, ensuring freedom of movement without the arrest or targeting of travelers by Israeli forces stationed at the Philadelphi corridor.