UN Urges International Coordination on Libyan Crisis

The Special Representative of Secretary-General for Libya, Hannah Tetteh met with the Belgian Ambassador, François Dimon (UNSMIL) 
The Special Representative of Secretary-General for Libya, Hannah Tetteh met with the Belgian Ambassador, François Dimon (UNSMIL) 
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UN Urges International Coordination on Libyan Crisis

The Special Representative of Secretary-General for Libya, Hannah Tetteh met with the Belgian Ambassador, François Dimon (UNSMIL) 
The Special Representative of Secretary-General for Libya, Hannah Tetteh met with the Belgian Ambassador, François Dimon (UNSMIL) 

The Special Representative of Secretary-General for Libya, Hannah Tetteh, stressed the importance of strengthening international coordination mechanisms on Libya, ensuring unified efforts to hold general elections as soon as possible.

Tetteh met with Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy to Libya, Jeremy Berndt, in Tunis.

She briefed Berndt on the work of the Advisory Committee and the recent efforts with Libyan and regional parties in this regard, a statement released by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) stated.

“We also discussed a number of issues related to the situation in Libya, including the migration issue, restrictions on civil space, and the need to improve economic management to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution of public funds,” Tetteh said.

For his part, Berndt, reiterated the United States' support for the efforts made by the UN mission to reach a political solution in Libya through holding elections.

Later, Tetteh met with the Belgian Ambassador, François Dimon, and exchanged views on the political process in Libya and the need to move forward toward holding general elections as soon as possible.

During the meeting, the Special Representative discussed the issue of migration and the need to adopt a more effective public financial management system based on transparency and accountability, in the interest of the Libyan people, the UN mission said.

UNSMIL is holding meetings with local and international actors to solve the political crisis in Libya, and support security operations in the country.

Meanwhile, UNSMIL said its Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ennis Chuma, discussed with Interior Minister in charge of the Government of National Unity, Imed Trabelsi, the situation of migrants and the challenges facing Libya in this regard.

Chuma stressed the importance of supporting the Libyan government and humanitarian organizations in managing the migration issue in accordance with human rights principles and obligations.

He also expressed concern about the restrictions imposed on the work of humanitarian organizations on migration and refugee issues, calling on the government to address these concerns through dialogue and ensure the continued safe operation of these organizations in accordance with Libyan law, according to a statement by UNSMIL.

Also on Thursday, Acting Foreign Minister in the Government of National Unity, Taher Al-Baour, discussed with the Turkish Ambassador to Libya, Guven Begec, preparations for Libya to host the Türkiye-Africa Summit in early 2026.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

 

 

 

 



Lebanon Detains Several People on Suspicion of Firing Rockets at Israel

A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
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Lebanon Detains Several People on Suspicion of Firing Rockets at Israel

A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)

The Lebanese military said it has detained a group of people linked to firing rockets into Israel last month.

In a statement issued late Wednesday night, the army said it had detained several people, including a number of Palestinians, who were involved in firing rockets in two separate attacks toward Israel in late March that triggered intense Israeli airstrikes on parts of Lebanon. Lebanon’s Hezbollah group denied at the time it was behind the firing of rockets, The Associated Press reported.

The army said that a vehicle and other equipment used in the rockets attacks were confiscated and the detainees were referred to judicial authorities. The army said it had carried out raids in different parts of Lebanon to detain the suspects without giving further details.

On Thursday, the state-run National News Agency reported that Gen. Rodolph Haikal briefed a weekly cabinet meeting about the security situation along the border and the ongoing implementation of the UN Security Council resolution that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war.

Three security and one judicial official told The Associated Press that four Palestinians linked to the Hamas group are being questioned.

A Hamas official told the AP that several members of the group were detained in Lebanon recently and released shortly afterward adding that they were not involved in firing rockets into Israel. He said in one case authorities detained a Hamas member who was carrying an unlicensed pistol.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Hezbollah started launching attacks on Israel a day after the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7, 2023 with the Palestinian militants’ attack on southern Israel. The war that left more than 4,000 people dead in Lebanon and caused wide destruction ended in late November with a US-brokered ceasefire.

Since the ceasefire went into effect in late November, Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes that left dozens of civilians and Hezbollah members dead.

On Tuesday, the office of the UN high commissioner for human rights said that at least 71 civilians, including 14 women and nine children, have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect.