عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

European Union Urges Libyan Leaders to ‘End Transitional Phase’

Continued security reinforcements in Tripoli in order to ensure security and avoid the return of clashes (EPA)
Continued security reinforcements in Tripoli in order to ensure security and avoid the return of clashes (EPA)
TT
TT

European Union Urges Libyan Leaders to ‘End Transitional Phase’

Continued security reinforcements in Tripoli in order to ensure security and avoid the return of clashes (EPA)
Continued security reinforcements in Tripoli in order to ensure security and avoid the return of clashes (EPA)

The European Union urged Libya’s leaders on Thursday to end the “transitional phase” and overcome the country’s crisis.

Meanwhile, tribal leaders, during a meeting held in the city of Misurata, rejected the proposal to form a new government, and demanded that parliamentary elections be held first.

Jose Sabadell, the EU ambassador to Libya emphasized the European strategy towards resolving the Libyan crisis.

Sabadell met with Libyan leaders, prior to the end of his tenure in the country.

“I had the privilege to be received yesterday by the Prime Minister to say goodbye as EU Ambassador to Libya. I was very fortunate to attend the ceremony of his swearing in at the House of Representatives in Tobruk in March 2021,” he wrote on X social platform, previously Twitter.

He added: “The difficult regional situation makes it even more urgent to reinforce stability by consolidating positive trends, avoiding returns to the past, and ending the transitional period through elections.”

He also underlined the EU’s continued readiness to support Libya, pointing to the need to increase cooperation with the country, especially in the issue of irregular migration.

Sabadell met with Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh, head of the interim National Unity government on Thursday. He also held talks with Mohammad al-Menfi, Chairman of the Presidential Council, on Wednesday evening.

During his meeting with Abdullah Al-Lafi, a deputy in the Presidential Council, Sabadell called for a “historic settlement” regarding the future of Libya, as the “only path” for a comprehensive solution to the current crisis.

He added that national reconciliation was the only means to reach a solution in the country.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam 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-Khiam 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
TT

Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam 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-Khiam 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)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.