Showing posts with label libya civil war II. Show all posts
Showing posts with label libya civil war II. Show all posts

Monday, August 24, 2020

Libya's Haftar Rejects GNA's Call For A Libyan Ceasefire

A member of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by Khalifa Haftar stands on a military vehicle at one of their sites west of Sirte, Libya [Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters]

Al Jazeera: Haftar rejects GNA's call for Libya ceasefire

LNA dismisses ceasefire announcement as 'marketing' stunt, says GNA is planning a Turkish-backed offensive on Sirte.

Renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's forces have dismissed a ceasefire announcement by Libya's internationally recognised government as a "marketing" stunt.

Ahmed Mismari, spokesman for Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), said on Sunday rival forces from the war-torn country's west were mobilising around front lines in the centre of the country.

In a media briefing, he said the eastern-based forces were ready to respond to any attempted attack on its positions around the coastal city of Sirte and Jufra, further inland.

Read more ....

Update #1: Libya strongman labels GNA ceasefire announcement a stunt (AFP)
Update #2: Libyan commander dismisses rivals’ cease-fire as ‘deception’ (Washington Post)

WNU Editor: Libya's Tripoli government is also not going deal with Renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar .... Libya High Council of State confirms its rejection of talks with Haftar (Middle East Memo). On a side note. Libya's Tripoli government is experiencing a lot of internal dissension .... Tripoli militia fires on protesters in Libya’s capital (The National).

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Libya's Eastern Government Asks Egypt To Intervene In War To Counter Turkish Military Support For The Government In The West

The battle lines have solidified near Sirte, a central city on the Mediterranean coast [File: Ayman Al-Sahili/Reuters]

Reuters: Eastern-based Libyan parliament asks Egypt to intervene in war

TUNIS (Reuters) - Libya’s eastern-based parliament has called for Egypt to directly intervene in the country’s civil war to counter Turkish support for the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), based in the capital Tripoli.

In a statement late on Monday, the House of Representatives based in the eastern port of Tobruk said Egyptian backing was needed to stave off what it described as a Turkish invasion and occupation.

The statement underscores the growing stakes in Libya, where battle lines solidified earlier this month near the city of Sirte, after the GNA and Turkey drove the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) back from a yearlong assault on Tripoli.

Libya has been divided since 2014 between the GNA in Tripoli and a rival eastern administration in Benghazi, where LNA commander Khalifa Haftar has dominated. There is also a separate House of Representatives based in Tripoli.

Read more ....

More News On The Eastern-Based Libyan Government Asking Egypt To Intervene In The War

Libya: Parliament in Tobruk calls for Egyptian intervention to counter Turkey -- Middle East Eye
Intel: Eastern Libya invites Egypt to intervene against Turkey-backed offensive -- Al-Monitor
Eastern parliament seeks Egypt's direct intervention in Libya war -- Al Jazeera
Libyan parliament calls on Egypt to protect Sirte, Al-Jufra from attacks -- Arab News
Eastern-Based Libyan Parliament Gives Green Light to Egyptian Army to Interfere in Libyan Conflict -- Sputnik

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Libyan Forces Laying Seige To Tripoli Have Agreed To A Ceasefire During Ramadan. Government In Tripoli Has Said No



The Guardian: Eastern Libyan forces have agreed a ceasefire during Ramadan

All military operations across Libya have stopped in response to international appeals.

Eastern Libyan forces laying siege to the country’s capital of Tripoli have agreed on a humanitarian pause in fighting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Ahmed al-Mismari, a spokesman for the forces of military commander Khalifa Hiftar, said at a news conference that they have stopped all military operations across Libya in response to international appeals for a humanitarian truce so authorities could focus on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

The recent round of fighting in war-torn Libya began last April when Hiftar’s forces launched an offensive trying to take Tripoli, clashing with an array of militias loosely allied with the UN-supported, but weak, government in the capital.

Read more ....

Update #1: Libya's renegade commander Khalifa Haftar announces Ramadan truce (Al Jazeera)
Update #2: Haftar’s LNA announces ceasefire in Libya during Ramadan (Middle East Monitor)

WNU Editor: The international recognized government in Tripoli has rejected this ceasefire call .... Tripoli government rejects rebel general's ceasefire offer in Libya (The Guardian).

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

UN-Backed Government In Libya Suspends Talks After Tripoli Port Attack

The Turkish ship was allegedly carrying armaments for fighters in Tripoli. Reuters

The National: Turkish ship carrying weapons destroyed at Tripoli port, Libyan National Army claims

UN holds peace talks with rival military officers in Geneva, who refuse to meet in the same room.

A Turkish cargo ship said to be carrying weapons was shelled while docked at Tripoli port in Libya on Tuesday as the UN held talks with military leaders of the country’s rival factions in Switzerland.

The forces of eastern commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar claimed responsibility for the attack and said the boat was destroyed.

Field Marshal Haftar's Libyan National Army launched an offensive last April on the capital, where the UN-backed Government of National Accord is based and defended by militias.

While the airport in Tripoli has often been a target, it is rare for the seaport to come under attack.

Read more ....

More News On The Libyan War

Haftar's forces hit Tripoli port as Geneva ceasefire talks resume -- Al Jazeera
UN Libya envoy says Tripoli port was attacked on Tuesday -- Reuters
Libyan General Haftar’s forces claim they've bombed Turkish ship ‘loaded with weapons & ammo’ at Tripoli port -- RT
UN-backed government in Libya suspends talks after attack -- AP
Libya's GNA suspending ceasefire talks after Tripoli port attack -- Al Jazeera
UN-backed government in Libya says it is suspending UN-brokered talks with rivals following attack on port. -- Washington Post
Libya is 'world's largest theatre' for drone attacks: UN -- Middle East Eye
Libya faces financial crisis due to oil blockade - PM -- Reuters
Libya faces 'catastrophic financial crisis' due to oil blockade -- Al Jazeera
UN: Impact of long Libya war on civilians is `incalculable' -- AP

EU Agrees To Deploy Warships To Enforce Libya Arms Embargo





AFP: EU agrees naval mission to stop Libya arms flow

Brussels (AFP) - EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to a naval operation to enforce an arms embargo on war-torn Libya, overcoming objections from countries who feared it may encourage new migrant flows.

The mission will be authorised to intervene to stop arms shipments, EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said, insisting the vessels would not be "having a promenade" in the Mediterranean.

The EU hopes to have the operation, focused on the eastern part of the Libyan coast, up and running by the end of March, Borrell said, though many details -- including the rules of engagement for naval units -- are yet to be worked out.

The conflict in the oil-rich but turbulent North African state was on the agenda for EU ministers meeting in Brussels, but Borrell had played down hopes of an agreement over objections from Austria and Hungary.

Read more ....

More News On The EU Agreeing To Deploy Warships To Enforce The Libyan Arms Embargo

Libya conflict: EU agrees new patrols to stop arms flow -- BBC
UN welcomes help in enforcing Libya arms embargo -- France 24
EU to Deploy Warships Off Libya in First Sign of Military Muscle -- Bloomberg
EU agrees on new mission to enforce Libya arms embargo -- Middle East Monitor

Friday, January 31, 2020

Turkey Deploys Military Forces, Equipment, And Frigates To Tripoli, Libya


Warzone/The Drive: Two Turkish Frigates Appear Off Libya Amid Reports Of Troops And Armor Landing Ashore

These developments point to a major escalation in Turkey's involvement in the conflict following abortive attempts to broker a ceasefire.

Weeks after the Turkish government announced plans to send various forces to Libya to support that country's internationally recognized government, there are now indications that those deployments are well underway. Two Turkish Navy Gabya class frigates have appeared off the coast of Tripoli, the official Libyan capital, and there are reports emerging now that Turkish troops and heavy armor are arriving in that city, too.

Pictures showing the two warships sailing together near Tripoli first emerged online on Jan. 28, 2020. Unconfirmed reports about the arrival of Turkish forces began to appear on social media hours later. On Jan. 5, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said in a televised interview that an unspecified number of Turkish troops would be heading to Libya soon and, the day after, revealed that members of the country's National Intelligence Organization, also referred to by the Turkish acronym MIT, were already in the country.

Read more ....



More News On The Libyan War

Turkey deploys warships and air defense systems to Libya: LNA -- AMN
Syrian mercenaries lured to fight for Turkey in Libya -- Ahval
Libya’s Warring Factions Resume Fighting in Threat to Cease-Fire -- The Wall Street Journal
Pentagon: Turkey’s deployment to Libya threatens escalation -- Al-Monitor
Libya: UN envoy slams violations of pledge to end foreign meddling -- AFP
U.N. shuts refugee center in Libya's capital as truce crumbles -- Reuters
UN halts Tripoli refugee centre operations over safety fears -- AFP
Libya heading towards ‘full-blown’ war despite ceasefire -- The Independent
How Outside Powers Like Russia and Turkey Are Fueling the Libyan Civil War -- Emadeddin Badi, WPR
Russian mercenaries, a CIA-linked general and lots of oil: Explaining Libya’s war -- CNBC

Friday, January 24, 2020

Rebel Forces In Libya Are Threatening To Target Civilian Planes



BBC: Libya conflict: Haftar forces threaten to target civilian planes

Rebel forces in Libya have threatened to hit civilian planes flying over the capital Tripoli, declaring the city and its surrounding areas a "no-fly zone".

Mitiga, the city's only functioning airport, was closed on Wednesday after rockets were fired towards it.

But the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) said it had now been re-opened.

Mitiga has been hit several times since Gen Khalifa Haftar began an offensive to seize Tripoli from the GNA.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the GNA said resuming flights at Mitiga was of the "utmost importance".

Read more ....

Update: Forces of Libya's Khalifa Haftar threaten to target civilian aircraft (CBS News).

WNU Editor: The airport is being used to bring in military forces and equipment, especially by Turkey. But even with these threats, the airport is been reopened .... Libya's Mitiga airport, threatened by Haftar, reopened (Daily Sabah).

Monday, January 20, 2020

EU Debates Sending Military Forces To Libya



Bloomberg: EU Agonizes Over Troop Deployment With Libyan Oil Flows Blocked

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union must be prepared to back up its diplomacy with force as the bloc’s foreign ministers discussed sending troops into Libya.

As von der Leyen made her first appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, since taking charge of the EU’s executive arm, officials in Brussels were discussing how to ensure a tentative truce in Libya becomes a proper cease-fire.

“The European Union needs hard power but always together with diplomacy and crisis prevention,“ von der Leyen said Monday in Bloomberg Television interview in Davos. “Only that together is comprehensive security.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: There is no stomach in Europe to send forces into Libya. As for the UN-backed government in Libya, there are growing concerns that the oil blockade will collapse the government .... Libya will face 'catastrophe' if oil blockade continues: Tripoli premier (Reuters).

World Oil Prices Rise As Libyan Civil War Shuts Down Two Major Oilfields



CNBC: Oil climbs above $65 after an escalation in Libya's civil war forces the shutdown of 2 major oilfields

* Oil climbed on Monday as the civil war in Libya forced two of the nation's largest oilfields to begin shutting down.
* Commander Khalifa Haftar's forces closed a pipeline connecting Libya's largest oilfield and another major production base.
* That has led both to start turning off the taps.
* Brent crude rose about 1.1% before retreating to hover at about $65.11. It reached the highest price since January 9.
* "The global oil market just isn't as exposed to shocks as it once was."

Oil climbed on Monday as the civil war in Libya forced two of the nation's largest oilfields to begin shutting down. The closures come after key Libyan oil ports were blocked over the weekend, threatening oil exports.

West Texas Intermediate crude rose 1% to $59.10, before slipping to about $58.70. Brent crude rose about 1.1% before retreating to hover at about $65.11. It reached the highest price since January 9.

Read more ....

More News On The Shut Down Of Libya's Major Oil Fields

Oil rises as Libyan oilfields shut down -- Reuters
Libyan Oil Output Collapses as Group Shuts Export Pipeline -- Wall Street Journal
Oil prices jump as Libyan pipeline shutdown cripples output -- Al Jazeera

Sunday, January 19, 2020

So Much For This Being A Turkish - Libyan Covert Operation


Zero Hedge: Syrian Jihadists Filmed Jet-Setting To Next Proxy War On Commercial Plane

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has continued warning that terrorist groups as well as a 'flood of refugees' will show up on Europe's shores if the Tripoli government were to fall to renegade General Khalifa Haftar, amid his continued offensive to control the Libyan capital. Erdogan's statement came a day before he heads to Berlin for a major peace conference which will attempt to halt the fighting.

And yet look who's sending actual jihadists into the already war-ravaged country on comfortable commercial jets:

Read more ....

WNU Editor:  Not so secret after-all.

World Powers Agree To A New Push For Libya Peace



The Hill: Countries reach agreement in Berlin on Libya cease-fire push, arms embargo

World leaders reached an agreement to push for a cease-fire in Libya and to more strictly enforce the arms embargo on the warring parties in the country, officials announced Sunday.

Leaders from 11 countries involved in the Libya dispute discussed for four hours in Berlin ways to alleviate the conflict, The Associated Press reported. The leaders of the two feuding sides in Libya were in the German capital but did not meet face-to-face or join the negotiations.

“We had to succeed in getting all the parties that connected in any way with the Libya conflict to speak with one voice ... because then the parties inside Libya will also understand that there is only a non-military way to a solution,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, according to the AP. “We achieved this result here.”

Read more ....

WNU editor: This summit was a waste of time .... After Hilarious 'Where's Putin?' Moment, Little Progress Made At Berlin Peace Conference On Libya (Zero Hedge).

More News On The Libyan War

World powers agree new push for Libya peace -- AFP
International Powers Call for Cease-Fire in Libya’s Long Civil War -- The New York Times
Libya summit calls for sanctions if ceasefire is violated -- CNN
‘Arms embargo & commitment to ceasefire’: Libya peace talks end on positive note in Berlin despite enduring disagreements -- RT
Libya civil war: World leaders committed to peace, UN chief says -- BBC
Over 2,000 Syrian mercenaries transported to Libya from Turkey: LNA -- AMN
Berlin summit: Foreign powers back Libya ceasefire as Haftar's forces choke oil flows -- Middle East Eye
Commander Khalifa Haftar's forces choke Libya's oil flow -- Al Jazeera

Monday, January 13, 2020

Libyan Ceasefire Deal Stalls In Moscow



DW: Libya ceasefire deal stalls in Moscow

Russian officials have hailed "progress," although Libyan warlord Haftar has delayed signing the agreement. Warring factions are due in Berlin later this month to finalize a permanent cessation of hostilities.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that most parties to the conflict have signed the agreement except for Libyan general-turned-warlord Khalifa Haftar and his ally Aguila Saleh, speaker of Libya's breakaway parliament in the east.

"There has been certain progress," said Lavrov. But Haftar and Aguila "have asked for a bit more time until morning to make a decision on signing" the document, he added.

Haftar, who leads the militia known as Libyan National Army, is a key guarantor of the rival eastern government's power.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: They have been fighting for years. It is not going to easy to end this conflict.

More News On The Libyan Ceasefire Deal Stalling In Moscow

Libya ceasefire talks in Moscow: Good progress made although not all sides signed the deal, Lavrov says -- RT
Heads of Libya's warring sides in Russia for talks -- Al Jazeera
Libya Talks in Russia Progress But Haftar Seeks More Time -- Bloomberg
Progress made in Libya talks, but Haftar delays signing ceasefire deal -- Middle East Eye
‘A month or 2 ago nobody thought it could happen’: Moscow hosts talks between Libya’s rival parties in hopes of ending civil war -- RT

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Ceasefire Announced In Libya To Be Effective On Sunday January 12

Khalifa Haftar announced on Saturday a ceasefire starting 00:01 a.m. on Sunday Jan. 12 conditional on acceptance by his rivals. (Reuters/File)

Reuters: Libyan forces loyal to Haftar announces conditional ceasefire: spokesman

BENGHAZI (Reuters) - Libyan eastern forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar announced on Saturday a ceasefire in the western region, which includes the capital Tripoli, starting 00:01 a.m. on Sunday (22:01 GMT) conditioned on acceptance by their rivals, a spokesman said.

Since April, Libyan National Army forces loyal to Haftar have been waging a campaign to take Tripoli, where they are battling forces aligned with the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

LNA on Thursday rebuffed a call by Turkey and Russia for the warring parties to declare a ceasefire amid clashes and air strikes in a conflict drawing increasing foreign involvement and concern.

Read more ....

More News On The Libyan Ceasefire And Peace Talks

Libyan forces loyal to Haftar announce ceasefire - spokesman -- The National
Libyan forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar have declared ceasefire -- Arab News
Libya’s UN-backed leader welcomes cease-fire, doubts rival -- AP
Turkey asks Russia to get Libya's Haftar to accept ceasefire -- Al Jazeera
ErdoÄŸan holds talks with head of European Council on reduction of Libya tensions -- Daily Sabah
German chancellor Merkel says Berlin will host Libya peace talks -- Reuters
E.U. Sidelined On Libya As Russia And Turkey Take Leading Role -- Forbes

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Turkey, Russia Seek A Libyan Ceasefire On Jan. 12

Russia and Turkey have been on opposite sides of Libya’s escalating proxy war. Kremlin.ru

Reuters: Turkey, Russia seek Libya ceasefire on Jan. 12 as rivals clash

Turkey and Russia urged Libya’s warring parties on Wednesday to declare a ceasefire on Sunday as warring factions clashed and carried out air strikes in a conflict drawing increasing foreign involvement and concern.

Turkey backs Fayez al-Serraj’s Tripoli-based, internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and has said it will send military advisers and possibly troops to reinforce its support, while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside General Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).

After talks between their presidents, Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, in Istanbul, Turkey and Russia called jointly for an end of hostilities, normalization of life in Tripoli and other cities, and U.N.-sponsored peace talks.

Read more ....



More News On Russia And Libya Calling For a Ceasefire In The Libyan War

Libya conflict: Turkey and Russia call for ceasefire -- BBC
Erdogan and Putin call for Libya ceasefire from Sunday -- Arab News/AFP
Russia and Turkey Call for Libya Ceasefire as Proxies Face Off -- Bloomberg
Ankara, Moscow seek cease-fire in Libya as of Jan 12 -- Hurriyet Daily News
Erdogan and Putin set 12 January deadline for Libya ceasefire -- Middle East Eye
Putin & Erdogan call on warring Libyan sides to fully cease fire on Sunday -- RT

Monday, January 6, 2020

Libya Rebel Forces 'Seize Strategic City Of Sirte'


Reuters: Libyan commander Haftar's forces say they have taken Sirte

BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libyan forces loyal to eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar said on Monday they had taken control of the strategic coastal city of Sirte in a rapid advance preceded by air strikes.

Holding Sirte would be an important gain for Haftar, who since April has been waging a military offensive on the capital, Tripoli, home to Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

Sirte lies in the center of Libya’s Mediterranean coast, and has been controlled by GNA-aligned forces since they ejected Islamic State from the city with the help of U.S. air strikes in late 2016.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The fall of Sirte is a huge military win for the rebel forces of Khalifa Haftar.

More News On Libyan Rebel Forces Seizing The Strategic City Of Sirte

Libya conflict: Rebel forces 'seize strategic city Sirte' -- BBC
Libya's east-based forces say key coastal city captured -- AP
Libya's Haftar forces seize control of Sirte as Turkey intervenes -- AFP
Libyan general Khalifa Haftar’s forces seize key city of Sirte -- The Guardian
Sirte falls to Haftar's forces, thanks to a Madkhali brigade from the inside -- Libyan Observer
Haftar’s Forces Claim Key Libya City in Blow to UN-Backed Leader -- Bloomberg
Libya: Haftar forces announce capture of large parts of Sirte -- Al Jazeera

Monday, December 23, 2019

Libya War News Updates -- December 23, 2019



SCMP: Libya conflict: Russian mercenaries from the shadowy Wagner Group are spearheading the battle for capital Tripoli

Libya has been divided since 2014 into rival military and political camps based in the capital Tripoli and the east
The Russian mercenaries are fighting for Khalifa Hifter’s forces against the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA)

The security chief of Libya’s UN-backed government in Tripoli said Russian mercenaries backing eastern commander Khalifa Hifter are now spearheading a battle to capture the capital.

Fathi Bashagha, the interior minister for the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), said fighters with the Russian Wagner group, headed by a confidant of Russian president Vladimir Putin, are leading the battle on the frontlines in Tripoli’s outskirts, which has been accompanied by heavy shelling.

Western officials say more than 1,000 Wagner mercenaries have arrived since September to back Hifter’s National Army in his nine-month offensive to capture Tripoli.

Read more ....

Libya War News Updates -- December 23, 2019

Libya Security Chief Says Russians Spearhead Tripoli Battle -- Bloomberg
EU urges Libya's warring factions to 'cease all military actions' -- DW
State Department 'concerned' about situation in Libya as conflict escalates -- The Hill
Erdogan says Turkey will increase military support to Libya if necessary -- Reuters
Erdogan: Turkey will increase military support to GNA if needed -- Al Jazeera
In Libya, cheap, powerful drones kill civilians and increasingly fuel the war -- The Washington Post
Eastern Libyan Force Warns Against Transporting Military Equipment in Civilian Planes -- The New York Times

Monday, December 16, 2019

Russia And Turkey Are Backing Opposite Sides In The Libyan Civil War


Kirill Semenov, Al-Monitor: Are Russia and Turkey in tug of war over Libya?

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the situation in Syria and Libya in a Dec. 11 phone call. The Turkish side initiated the conversation to address the countries' emerging differences over Libya that the two were trying to patch up. A few days earlier, Erdogan had declared his readiness to dispatch soldiers to Libya.

“There is a security company from Russia [in Libya] called Wagner," Erdogan said. "This company sent its security staff there. On the issue of sending soldiers … if Libya makes such a request from us, we can send our personnel there, especially after striking the military security agreement.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Turkey has thrown in their support to the UN-backed Libyan government .... Turkey’s Erdogan meets Libyan PM after strongman announces Tripoli assault (AFP). On the opposite, Russia and Egypt are on the same page when it comes to Libya .... Egypt's el-Sisi says militias holding Libyan government 'hostage' (Al Jazeera).

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

UN Report: UAE, Sudan And Jordan Are Breaking the Libyan Arms Embargo To Back Haftar



Al Jazeera: UAE, Sudan, Jordan, 'break arms embargo to back Haftar'

UN draft report obtained by Al Jazeera says member states gave weapons to warring parties in Libya, violating sanctions.

Al Jazeera has obtained a draft copy of a report by United Nations which reveals that member states - the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Turkey and Jordan - have violated the arms embargo imposed on Libya.

The report by the Panel of Experts of the International Sanctions Committee on Libya said that Sudan and its Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, did not abide by UN sanctions to ban military support to the parties involved in the Libyan conflict, noting that 1,000 Sudanese Rapid Support Forces were sent to eastern Libya in July.

Read more ....

Update #1: UN report finds Jordan, Turkey, UAE violated Libya arms embargo (France 24)
Update #2: Sudan and Jordan supplying Libya's Haftar with weapons and troops, says UN (Middle Easy Eye)

WNU Editor: There is even a Russian involvement .... 'Wherever Wagner goes destruction happens': Libya's GNA slams Russian role in conflict (Middle East Eye).

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Libya's Warring Sides Have Agreed To A UN-Backed Temporary Eid Truce



BBC: Libya conflict: Fighters agree a truce during Eid al-Adha

The UN has welcomed a truce agreed by Libya's main warring parties during the three-day Muslim festival Eid al-Adha.

It follows a car bomb attack on Saturday in Benghazi which killed three UN staff.

The truce involves the UN-backed Government of National Accord and the rogue general, Khalifa Haftar.

His forces have been attacking the capital, Tripoli, since April. More than 1,000 people have died, according to the World Health Organization.

Read more ....

More News On The Libyan War

The Latest: Officials say car bomb kills 2 UN staff in Libya -- AP
Libya's Haftar, unity govt agree to UN-backed Eid truce -- France 24
Libya conflict: Fighters agree a truce during Eid al-Adha -- BBC
Libya's warring sides agree to UN-backed temporary Eid truce -- Al Jazeera
Five, including UN staff, killed in Benghazi car bombing -- The Guardian
Tripoli — a view from the ground -- Sasha Toperich, The Hill

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

How Did U.S. Javelin Missiles Sold To France End-Up In Libya?

A Javelin anti-tank missile seized by Libyan Army from Haftar’s forces in Gharyan. [Photo: Social Media]

Al Jazeera: Missiles found on pro-Haftar base in Libya belonged to France

France says armaments were meant for 'self-protection' of counterterrorism unit in Libya but were 'unusable'.

The French military said on Wednesday several Javelin missiles found in a rebel base in Libya were purchased by the French government from the United States but were defective and were meant to have been destroyed.

In a statement sent to reporters, the army ministry said the missiles were intended for the "self-protection of a French military unit deployed to carry out counter-terrorism operations".

"Damaged and unusable the armaments were being temporarily stocked at a depot ahead of their destruction" the ministry said adding that "they were not transferred to local forces".

It is the first time since 2016 that France has publicly acknowledged it still has special forces deployed in Libya. It is not clear how many troops are deployed.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The big story is not the discovery of this weapons cache, but the French acknowledging that they have Special Forces in Libya.

More News On The Discovery Of Javelin Missiles In Libya

NYT: US missiles found with Haftar’s forces in Libya were sold to France in 2010 -- Libyan Express
UPDATE 1-France says anti-tank missiles found in Libya were "unusable" -- Reuters
Missiles belonging to French army found at pro-Haftar base in Libya -- France 24
France admits it is owner of missiles found on Libyan rebel base used for Haftar's assault on Tripoli -- The Telegraph
France tries to explain how four of its anti-tank missiles ended up in a Libyan rebel camp -- National Post
France denies supplying weapons found on rebel site in Libya -- Middle East Eye