Arab League Urges 'Comprehensive Political Process' to Libya Crisis

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Arab League)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Arab League)
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Arab League Urges 'Comprehensive Political Process' to Libya Crisis

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Arab League)
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Arab League)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Thursday stressed the importance of achieving a national consensus in Libya.

He expressed concern that the recent developments in the country could lead to "a state of polarization".

"Libya's political leaders should work on achieving national consensus and set aside any narrow interests," Aboul Gheit said in a statement.

A comprehensive political agreement that ensures national elections aimed at restoring the legitimacy of state institutions is the only way to end the long transitional period and head toward stability, development, and construction, he added.

At the same time, he underlined the need to safeguard the stability Libya has been experiencing since the ceasefire agreement was signed.

The hope is to reach a national position that is in line with the path to support a political process and implement international and regional pledges, especially those made at both Berlin conferences, he added.

The Arab League backs all sincere efforts to maintain the stability of Libya with no foreign intervention, Aboul Gheit stressed.

Furthermore, he noted the importance of limiting arms to the official authority alone in the country, unifying the military, security, and economic institutions, and fully supporting any authority in Libya that puts these goals into practice.



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.