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Libya’s GNU Pledges to Reconstruct Flood-Ravaged Derna

People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)
People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)
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Libya’s GNU Pledges to Reconstruct Flood-Ravaged Derna

People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)
People search for flood victims in Derna, Libya, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP)

Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, the head of Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), pledged on Tuesday to rebuild the flood-affected areas in the east of the country.

He said his government is capable of completing the reconstruction works in Derna and the rest of the al-Jebal al-Akhdar cities in the east of the country, where a hurricane-strength storm lashed the area on September 10, devastating entire neighborhoods and sweeping thousands of people into the sea.

Dbeibah also underscored the importance to tackling the psychological repercussions of the affected population.

Speaking at a conference on mental health and psychotherapy in Tripoli, he said the country “has experienced very difficult circumstances, and previous governments neglected psychological support.”

On Monday, Dbeibah met with the UK Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, James Hebbey, to review Libyan-British cooperation on training and the fight against terrorism.

Meanwhile, head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi called for the formation of a post-disaster management team to deal with the aftermath of the floods.

During a meeting of the National Planning Council, he said the team should include experts and specialists in various fields to deal with the current situation in Libya and take appropriate and rapid decisions.

Also in Tripoli, Menfi’s two deputies, Moussa al-Kouni and Abdullah Lafi said they discussed with US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland and Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne Witkowsky the latest developments in Libya and ways to develop cooperation mechanisms between Tripoli and Washington in many areas, especially in holding elections, and achieving reconciliation and development.

Separately, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) on coordination and cooperation in managing and securing Libyan borders and in fighting against border crimes and terrorism.

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Arab World

Lebanese Army Deploys South as Israel Withdraws from Border Villages

Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
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Lebanese Army Deploys South as Israel Withdraws from Border Villages

Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)

Tensions remain high on Lebanon's southern border, with Israel continuing to violate the ceasefire daily. Efforts are underway, both within Lebanon and internationally, to prevent another war.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army is completing its deployment in the south as Israeli forces pull out of villages they had entered.

Lebanese officials are hopeful for calm and expect all parties to stick to the agreement. The monitoring committee is set to begin its work soon, with the French general arriving on Wednesday, following the American general who will lead the committee.

Their first meeting will be on Thursday, according to military sources.

As Israel began pulling out its troops and equipment from villages in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported on Tuesday that the Lebanese Army had stepped up its presence in Tyre and nearby areas to ensure security.

This marks the start of the Army’s redeployment in the south, especially in border villages.

The Lebanese Army also announced it is recruiting volunteers to strengthen its forces in the south and help implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 after the ceasefire.

The ceasefire agreement calls for a 60-day truce, during which Israel is expected to withdraw from the southern villages. Hezbollah is required to end its armed presence south of the Litani River, where 10,000 Lebanese soldiers and UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) will be deployed.

Tensions, however, eased on Tuesday along Lebanon's southern border after a sharp escalation between Hezbollah and Israel on Monday evening.

Nevertheless, Israeli violations continued, with over 80 breaches recorded by the Lebanese Army in the past week.

On Tuesday, Israeli shelling killed a civilian in Shebaa, with the National News Agency reporting the man was struck by a missile from an Israeli drone.

An artillery shell also hit the Marjayoun Plain, and an Israeli Merkava tank crossed into the area near the border between Deir Mimas, Burj al-Mulouk, and Kfarkila in the south, stopping 200 meters from a Lebanese Army checkpoint.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported a convoy of 15 Israeli vehicles moved from the Wazzani border area toward Wadi al-Khayam, with part of the convoy heading towards the eastern part of Khiam. This followed reports that Israeli vehicles had withdrawn from eastern Khiam on Monday.

Israel also launched airstrikes on the town of Bayt Lifa in southern Lebanon and fired machine guns at Majdal Zoun.

In response, the Israeli military said it targeted a terrorist cell in the Bekaa Valley.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Monday that Israel might push deeper into Lebanon and no longer differentiate between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah if the ceasefire breaks down.

Katz stated, “If the ceasefire collapses, Lebanon will have no immunity,” adding that Israel would act with greater force if the war resumes.