US Mediates between Libya’s Parliament, High Council of State

The Libyan parliament meets in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Parliament's press office)
The Libyan parliament meets in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Parliament's press office)
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US Mediates between Libya’s Parliament, High Council of State

The Libyan parliament meets in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Parliament's press office)
The Libyan parliament meets in Tobruk on Tuesday. (Parliament's press office)

The Libyan Presidential Council sought US mediation to resolve the ongoing disputes between the Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives (HoR), Aguila Saleh, and the Chairman of the High Council of State (HCS) Khalid al-Mishri.

The US and the international and local community fear an outbreak of a new armed conflict in Tripoli between militias loyal to the interim Government of National Unity (GNU), headed by Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, and militias loyal to parliament-appointed Fathi Bashagha, who chairs the "stability" cabinet.

Member of the Presidential Council Abdullah al-Lafi discussed with US Ambassador Richard Norland the Council’s efforts to address Libya's political and security situation.

During a phone call, Lafi and Norland agreed that parties should avoid any step that could provoke violence.

Lafi sought to convince Norland to mediate between Saleh and Mishri after sources close to the two parties confirmed the failure of their recent meeting in Cairo.

Lafi and Norland commended the Council for its work in promoting national reconciliation and welcomed the African Union (AU) role in this regard.

The ambassador applauded the Presidential Council's engagement with key leaders and noted the intensive discussions that were held in Ankara, Cairo, and Libya.

"The US urges the GNU to continue engagement with Libyan institutions to pave the way for presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible," he remarked.

They stressed that work would continue to resolve all political issues that are impeding stability, paving the way for holding presidential and parliamentary elections and avoiding any escalation that might threaten the political process and the safety of civilians.

On Monday, Saleh and Mishri arrived in Cairo for a meeting aimed at discussing the Libyan crisis.

Saleh’s media advisor Abdul Hamid al-Safi said the meeting addressed the contentious constitutional issues, namely the case of dual nationals and the right of military personnel to vote.

Safi noted that Saleh and Mishri agreed to return to their councils for further consultation and to reach a final agreement on the draft constitution regarding the constitutional framework.

Well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saleh and Mishri would return to Cairo after ten days.



UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
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UN Says ‘Deliberate’ Choices ‘Systematically’ Depriving Gazans

04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
04 June 2025, Palestinian Territories, Nusirat: Displaced Palestinians gather in a charity kitchen to receive aid amid a shortage of food, in Nuseirat refugee camp. (Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)

The UN aid chief said Wednesday that recent "horrifying scenes" of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid were the result of "deliberate choices that have systematically deprived" them of essentials to survive.

A US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites in the Gaza Strip announced the temporary closure of its facilities on Wednesday, with the Israeli army warning that roads leading to distribution centers were "considered combat zones".

The announcement by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation follows a string of deadly incidents near the distribution sites it operates.

On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation.

"The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat," UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement.

"Emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases. Yesterday alone, dozens were declared dead at hospitals after Israeli forces said they had opened fire.

"This is the outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive."

He echoed the call by UN chief Antonio Guterres for immediate independent investigations, saying they were not isolated incidents, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

"No-one should have to risk their life to feed their children," said Fletcher.

The GHF began operations a week ago, but the UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

Meanwhile the United Nations has described the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, after Israel partially lifted a more than two-month total blockade, as a trickle.

"We must be allowed to do our jobs: we have the teams, the plan, the supplies and the experience," said Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

"Open the crossings -- all of them. Let in life-saving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in.

"Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials. Release the hostages. Implement the ceasefire."