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Deadly Flooding in Libya, Over 2,000 Dead, 6,000 Missing”

Asylum-seekers gather in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Al-Sarraj, Tripoli, Libya, on Oct. 9, 2021. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua/IANS)

The storm made landfall in eastern Libya on Sunday, triggering flooding and destroying facilities along its path…reports Asian Lite News

 More than 2,000 people have died and about 6,000 others are reportedly missing in Libya after torrential rain brought by storm Daniel triggered the collapse of two dams which swept entire neighborhoods into the sea.

Speaking to a local TV channel on Monday, Osama Hammad, the eastern-based Prime Minister of Libya, confirmed the toll in “catastrophic” floods that hit eastern Libya on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Hammad said most of the casualties were reported in the port city of Derna, where “the entire neighborhoods were swept away”.

He called on medical personnel and rescue teams nationwide to provide assistance to the city, while the eastern-based Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Gatrani has appealed for international aid .

Local authorities have declared three days of mourning for the victims.

The storm made landfall in eastern Libya on Sunday, triggering flooding and destroying facilities along its path.

Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah, the prime minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, on Sunday instructed relevant authorities to remain on high alert and take measures to deal with the storm, vowing to “protect the people and ease the damage”.

President of the Libyan Presidency Council, Mohamed Menfi, also called for international assistance to cope with the aftermath of the deadly floods.

“We call on the brotherly and friendly countries and the international organisations to provide assistance and support for the disaster areas,” Menfi said in a statement on Monday.

He declared Derna, Al-Bayda and Shahhat as stricken cities, and called on the people to abide by the instructions of the authorities “to overcome this crisis”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Libyan Red Crescent Society have started to offer urgent assistance to those affected by the disaster.

Libya, a country of six million people, has been dividedbetween rival administrations in the east and west since 2014, following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Each administration is backed by armed groups and militias.

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‘Libya’s Stability Vital for Regional Security’

Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has struggled to make a democratic transition amid escalating violence and political division…reports Asian Lite News

It is fundamental to restore Libya’s stability to preserve regional security, the top UN envoy for the country said.

Upholding Libya’s stability is even more critical now in light of the latest events, including the recent clashes in Tripoli, as well as the regional turmoil in Sudan and Niger, said Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, on Tuesday.

“Current events in Libya and the region demonstrate that interim arrangements are fraught with risks of violence and disintegration for countries,” Bathily told a UN Security Council meeting.

Without an inclusive political agreement that paves the way for peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections across Libya, the situation will worsen and cause further suffering to the Libyan people, he noted.

“I therefore call on the political and moral responsibility of all leaders to close the open-ended interim arrangement, break the current impasse and stop frustrating the Libyans’ legitimate aspiration for elections, peace and prosperity,” he said.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled, due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has struggled to make a democratic transition amid escalating violence and political division.

In his briefing to the Security Council, Bathily reiterated that all elections-related issues in Libya should be resolved through discussions and compromises between all relevant actors.

“Unilateral steps must be avoided at all costs if we are to advert further violent conflicts as experience has shown over the last 10 years,” he said. 

“The electoral landscape should be a level-playing field for all the candidates.”

Libya needs more than ever to close the current page of institutional fragmentation. Citizens yearn for unified political, military, security, economic and social institutions to safeguard the territorial integrity and the national identity of the country, he added.

“In that regard, a unified government, agreed upon by the major players, is an imperative for leading the country to elections,” said Bathily.

ALSO READ: UAE urges peace in Libya’s Tripoli

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UAE urges peace in Libya’s Tripoli

Illegal immigrants are seen boarding an airplane at the Misurata International Airport in Misurata, Libya, Jan. 27, 2022. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua/IANS)

Al Marar reaffirmed the UAE’s position that calls for a solution to the conflict in Libya and its full support for efforts to strengthen security…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has expressed its concern over the developments in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, and called on all parties to de-escalate, cease hostilities, and resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.

In a statement, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, ‏urged all parties to preserve the safety of civilians, government headquarters and property, and exercise the utmost restraint to end the current crisis.

Al Marar reaffirmed the UAE’s position that calls for a solution to the conflict in Libya and its full support for efforts to strengthen security, stability, and unity in the country in accordance with the roadmap outcomes, Security Council resolutions, and the ceasefire agreement, to ensure the success of elections and realize the aspirations of the Libyan people for development, stability and prosperity. (ANI/WAM)

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All stranded Indians rescued from Libya

On March 2, the rest of the eight people who were stranded in Libya came back to India…reports Asian Lite News

The Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Iqbal Singh Lalpura on Sunday said that Indians stranded in Libya have been evacuated by the NCM with the help of the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy in Tunisia.

While addressing a press conference on Sunday, Iqbal Singh Lalpura informed about the evacuation. He said that the NMC constantly works for minorities so that no atrocities are done against them.
The National Minorities Commission is in continuous discussion with External Affairs Minister so that minorities living outside India don’t face any problems, he added further.

He informed during the press conference that the incident came to light in February that a few people were taken from India to Dubai and then to Libya through illegal means.

As soon as the NMC came to know about the situation, they spoke to the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar since India doesn’t have an embassy in Libya.

He informed that the stranded Indians were wounded and were also facing scarcity of food or water.

Firstly, four people were rescued and they reached their homes on February 13.

While eight were still stranded and didn’t have any money or resources. On March 2, the rest of the eight people came back to India, the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Iqbal Singh Lalpura informed while speaking to the media.

He thanked the EAM and gave a message to the Indians abroad that if they are facing any difficulty, the MEA is there to help them.

He also asked the Government of Punjab to take legal action against those who have put them in this situation.

Libya has been suffering violence and unrest ever since the fall of the late leader United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) regime in 2011.

The country has been suffering escalating violence and unrest ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011.

The country is currently divided between a government that was appointed by the House of Representatives in March, and the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity that refuses to hand over office except to an elected government. (ANI)

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Libya, Italy ink deal to enhance cooperation

Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Brothers of Italy (FdI), speaks to the media after the meeting at the Quirinale Presidential Palace in Rome, Italy, Oct. 21, 2022. Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua/IANS)

The foreign ministers of the two states also signed a memorandum of understanding, under which Italy will provide Libya with five fully equipped ships to be used for search and rescue operations, Dbeibah said…reports Asian Lite News

A visiting Italian delegation headed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday signed agreements on enhancing cooperation in various fields with Libya in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah told a joint press conference along with Meloni that they discussed increasing cooperation in the fields of energy, economy, border control and combating illegal immigration, as well as coordination of political positions between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

The foreign ministers of the two states also signed a memorandum of understanding, under which Italy will provide Libya with five fully equipped ships to be used for search and rescue operations, Dbeibah said.

Italian energy company Eni and Libyan National Oil Corporation agreed on the development of Structures A&E, a strategic project aimed at increasing gas production to supply the Libyan domestic market and ensure gas export to Europe, Eni said in a statement.

“The combined gas production from the two structures will start in 2026 and reach a plateau of 750 million standard gas cubic feet per day,” the statement added.

ALSO READ-UN envoy calls for int’l support for Libya

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UN envoy calls for int’l support for Libya

Libyan army's 444th brigade of the Government of National Unity garthers in Tripoli, on May 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia/IANS)

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties…reports Asian Lite News

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily called for international support to help country overcome its crisis.

Bathily made the remarks after attending a consultative meeting of the Arab foreign ministers on Sunday in the Libyan capital Tripoli, during which issues of common concern were discussed, reports Xinhua news agency.

“I call on all international stakeholders, including Libya’s neighbours, to speak with one voice and step up their support to help Libya overcome its long-term crisis,” Bathliy tweeted.

He also urged all Libyan parties to come together and find ways to overcome their differences so that “Libya can once again play a leading role as an African-Arab country … and as an active member of the UN”.

“Over a year ago, 2.8 million Libyans registered to vote. This shows the will and determination of the Libyan people to choose their representatives, restore legitimacy to their institutions and chart their way forward to stability through a democratic political process,” he said.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties.

The UN envoy said he considered the consultative meeting of Arab foreign ministers as “the expression of solidarity and support for the Libyan people in establishing a peaceful and prosperous future”.

Following the meeting, Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush told a press conference that “the meeting is not particularly about Libya, but an affirmation of a previous agreement of the Arab Foreign Ministers to intensify consultations among the members of the Arab League, in order to unify the Arab position on all issues of common concern”.

The participants of the meeting expressed their support for stability in the country, the unity of the Arab position, as well as the efforts of the UN Support Mission in Libya to achieve stability and support the Libyan elections, Al-Mangoush added.

ALSO READ-446 migrants rescued off Libyan coast last week

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446 migrants rescued off Libyan coast last week

UNHCR commends release of 64 refugees from detention in Libya

Earlier this week, India raised concern over the resurgence of terrorist activity in Libya at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)…reports Asian Lite News

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday that 446 migrants were rescued off the coast of Libya and sent back to the country from July 17 to 23.

So far in 2022, a total of 11,057 migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya, including 698 women and 422 minors, IOM said in a statement.

According to IOM, 180 migrants died and 648 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route this year.

In 2021, a total of 32,425 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 662 died and 891 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, according to IOM.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for irregular migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

Earlier this week, India raised concern over the resurgence of terrorist activity in Libya at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

In a briefing at UNSC on Libya, Charge d’affaires at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Ambassador R Ravindra said, “We remain concerned at the resurgence of terrorist activity in Libya, and we reiterate that terrorist groups and affiliated entities must not be allowed to operate unchallenged in Libya.”

 However, he welcomed the progress that was made when the Presidents of the House of Representatives and High Council of State met in Geneva late last month (June 28-29, 2022).

“It is imperative that all outstanding political issues are resolved peacefully by the parties concerned, keeping in mind the larger interests of the Libyan people,” said the Indian envoy.

Highlighting the importance of holding Presidential and Parliamentary polls at the earliest, he said, “We hope all parties work together to maintain peace & stability in Libya. An immediate priority for Libya is to hold Presidential and Parliamentary polls at the earliest in a free, fair, inclusive and credible manner.”

“We look forward to an early consensus between the Libyan parties on the constitutional basis for holding the elections,” he added.

Libya is currently divided between a government that was appointed by the House of Representatives in March, and the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity that refuses to hand over office except to an elected government.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled, due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties. (with inputs from agencies)

ALSO READ-‘193 migrants returned to Libya past week

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‘193 migrants returned to Libya past week’

A total of 10,465 migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far in 2022, including 694 women and 400 minors, the UN agency said….reports Asian Lite News

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said that 193 migrants were returned to Libya after being rescued off the coast last week.

“In the period of July 10-16, 2022, 193 migrants have been disembarked back on Libyan shores,” IOM added on Monday in a statement.

A total of 10,465 migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far in 2022, including 694 women and 400 minors, the UN agency said.

The UN agency also added that 176 migrants died and 634 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route in 2022, Xinhua news agency reported.

In 2021, a total of 32,425 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 662 died and 891 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, according to IOM.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for irregular migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

ALSO READ: Libyan Army mulls unification of military institutions

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Libyan Army mulls unification of military institutions

The oil-rich North African country has been in turmoil since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011…reports Asian Lite News

The military leaders of Libya’s east-based Army and Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) Armed forces met in the capital Tripoli to discuss the unification of the two military institutions.

“The meeting covered a number of subjects, mainly helping the Joint Military Commission unify the military institutions,” said a statement issued by the east-based Army’s information office on Monday.

This is the second meeting between Abdurrazzaq al-Nathuri, the Chief of Staff of the east-based Army, and Mohamed al-Haddad, Chief of the GNU’s Armed forces, to discuss the unification of the two institutions. The first was held in December 2021 in the city of Sirte, nearly 450 km east of Tripoli.

The oil-rich North African country has been in turmoil since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011, Xinhua news agency reported.

Libya is currently divided between the GNU and a government appointed by the House of Representatives (parliament) in March.

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633 illegal migrants returned to Libya

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 633 illegal migrants were returned to Libya after being rescued off the country’s coast last week…reports Asian Lite News

“In the period of June 26-July 2, a total of 633 migrants have been disembarked back on Libyan shores,” Xinhua news agency quoted the IOM as saying in a statement late Monday.

A total of 9,973 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far in 2022, including 678 women and 362 minors, it added.

The UN agency also said that 166 illegal migrants died and 611 others went missing this year.

ALSO READ:Libya arrests 541 illegal migrants

In 2021, a total of 32,425 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 662 died and 891 others went missing off the country’s coast on the Central Mediterranean route, the IOM revealed.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.