عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Preparations Underway to Reopen Sirte-Misrata Coastal Road in Libya

A bulldozer pushes earth to during a ceremony to reopen the road between the cities of Misrata and Sirte Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP)
A bulldozer pushes earth to during a ceremony to reopen the road between the cities of Misrata and Sirte Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP)
TT
TT

Preparations Underway to Reopen Sirte-Misrata Coastal Road in Libya

A bulldozer pushes earth to during a ceremony to reopen the road between the cities of Misrata and Sirte Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP)
A bulldozer pushes earth to during a ceremony to reopen the road between the cities of Misrata and Sirte Sunday, June 20, 2021. (AP)

Libyan National Army forces, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, have started setting up security checkpoints along the Sirte-Misrata coastal highway west of Sirte ahead of its official reopening.

The Sirte-Misrata highway connecting Libya’s east and west will be officially reopened according to an agreement set by the 5+5 Joint Military Committee that includes representatives of the east-based LNA and forces loyal to the transitional authority in the Tripoli.

Meanwhile, military officials in the Government of National Unity (GNU) confirmed that the government has withdrawn its forces five kilometers south of the highway.

Commander of the Sirte-Jufra Liberation Operations Room Brigadier General Ibrahim Bayt al-Mal told Andalou Agency on Thursday the move is in line with the agreement reached with the committee.

A spokesman said control of the road and security points was transferred to the GNU’s interior ministry.

However, he claimed the LNA forces were refusing to reopen the parts of the highway under their control.

Head of the GNU Abdulhamid Dbeibeh had recently announced the reopening of the highway.

The road had been closed since Haftar’s offensive against Tripoli and the former Government of National Accord (GNA) in 2019.

Dbeibeh was in London on Friday for talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

They discussed the GNU’s efforts to restore stability in Libya and prepare to hold free and transparent elections in December.

They also stressed the need for the withdrawal of mercenaries from the North African country and the unification of the military.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
TT
TT

Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)

The Lebanese government has approved funding to recruit 1,500 new military personnel in the Lebanese Army as part of an initiative to increase military presence along the southern border, amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities.
The funds will be provided to the Ministry of Defense as an advance, a decision highlighted by the Minister of Information for its political and international significance, particularly in relation to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the caretaker government emphasized that continued and escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon amount to crimes against humanity. He stated that a primary pathway to a resolution involves halting hostilities against the country, fully implementing Resolution 1701, and electing a new president to restore institutional order, stability, and initiate reconstruction.

Mikati condemned what he described as an international failure to stop Israel’s actions against Lebanon, which include attacks on towns and villages, civilian deaths, and strikes against medical and relief personnel.
“We condemn and hold the international community responsible for the continuation of Israel’s genocidal war on Lebanon, its destruction of towns and villages, killing of civilians, assassination of army personnel, and targeting of medical teams, civil defense, relief teams, and journalists.
“Additionally, the attacks on UNIFIL, which represents international legitimacy, make targeting UNIFIL an assault on the international community and the Security Council. This destruction continues to affect hospitals, schools, and educational centers,” stated Mikati.
On the international front, Mikati highlighted the solidarity shown by world figures, referring to his discussions with leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Prime Minister. This was further demonstrated during the Paris Conference in Support of Lebanon -late on October- he underlined, specifically thanking France for its humanitarian efforts and military support.
But he added: “But unfortunately, Israel is blatantly disregarding all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
The prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s stance on safeguarding its dignity and sovereignty across air, sea, and land, pledging to confront any Israeli violations.
Following the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Ziad Makari assured that funds to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers are available and that the government encountered no issues regarding this allocation.
Nasser Yassin, the government’s Emergency Committee coordinator, announced that the cabinet approved fuel allocations for 541 shelters in mountainous regions over 300 meters in altitude to ensure winter heating. Yassin also detailed efforts concerning the people displaced as the result of the Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
He highlighted that there are 44,000 families in 1,138 shelters and an additional 147,000 families housed within communities.