Libya, Chad Agree to Secure Borders to Stop Human Trafficking

Najla al-Manqoush and her Chadian counterpart on the sidelines of the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Libya)
Najla al-Manqoush and her Chadian counterpart on the sidelines of the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Libya)
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Libya, Chad Agree to Secure Borders to Stop Human Trafficking

Najla al-Manqoush and her Chadian counterpart on the sidelines of the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Libya)
Najla al-Manqoush and her Chadian counterpart on the sidelines of the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Libya)

Libya’s Foreign Minister Najla al-Manqoush discussed with her Chadian counterpart Sherif Mohamed Zein possible ways to secure the borders between their countries to prevent security breaches and confront the human trafficking groups.

Manqoush and Zein held a meeting Saturday on the sidelines of the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul.

They agreed that the security of Libya is an integral part of Chad’s security, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Libya. They therefore, stressed the importance of working hand in hand to prevent any security violations, stop smuggling and confront human trafficking groups.

The Ministry added that the two ministers discussed the possibility of forming a joint force to protect the borders, in coordination with the relevant parties in Libya and Chad.

Manqoush stated that the security at the borders represents a priority to the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohammed al-Menfi had in mid-Nov in Paris discussed with President of the Chadian Transitional Military Council Gen. Mahamat Idriss Déby coordinating security cooperation efforts, monitoring the shared borders, and increasing coordination in combating terrorism and organized crime.

In another meeting with Vice President of the Libyan Presidential Council Moussa al-Koni, Déby suggested reactivating the Quartet Agreement comprising Libya, Sudan, Chad, and Niger through forming a joint military force on the borders with Libya.

The aim is to prevent the infiltration of insurgent groups, similar to what happened in April and that led to the killing of his father.

Insurgents, centered on the borders with Libya, killed President Idriss Déby days after he secured a sixth term in office.



Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
TT

Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world.

The UN health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more.

WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat.

Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah in the country two months ago.

The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday.