Six unidentified bodies recovered from mass graves in Libya
Libyan authorities have announced the recovery of six unidentified bodies from three newly discovered mass graves in the city of Tarhuna…reports Asian Lite News
One grave contained four bodies and each of the remaining two graves contained one body, Xinhua news agency quoted the General Authority for Research and Identification of Missing Persons as saying.
Six unidentified bodies recovered from mass graves in Libya
Search is underway for more mass graves in the city, the Authority said.
Since the beginning of the search in Tarhuna in June 2020, more than 40 mass graves were discovered and more than 200 unidentified bodies were recovered so far.
Tarhuna, located some 90 km south of the capital Tripoli, was once the eastern-based army’s main military operation centre during the war against the former UN-backed Government of National Accord in and around Tripoli.
The forces of the former UN-backed government have been accusing the rival eastern-based army of mass killings in Tarhuna.
The deadline for the presidential election is November 22, and December 7 for the parliamentary polls…reports Asian Lite News
Emad Al-Sayeh, chairman of the Libyan High National Elections Commission (HNEC), announced that the candidates running in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections can submit their applications from Monday onwards.
Candidates for Libyan elections can submit applications from Monday
“Tomorrow, the Commission will start implementing the two electoral processes, which will begin with accepting the applications of candidates for both the presidential and parliamentary elections,” Al-Sayeh told a press conference here on Sunday.
The deadline for the presidential election is November 22, and December 7 for the parliamentary polls, according to Al-Sayeh.
The UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in February selected a new executive authority of a unity government and a presidency council, ending years of political division in the North African country.
The new authority’s main task is to prepare for the general elections slated for December 24, as endorsed by the LPDF. Elections were previously planned for early 2019, after having scheduled for December 2018
Libyan PM Libyan election laws designed to obstruct polls
A top UN official has reiterated his support for the upcoming elections in Libya…reports Asian Lite News
Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Raisedon Zenenga made his remarks during a virtual consultation with a diverse group of civil society representatives from all across the country, reports Xinhua news agency.
“Participants shared their views on elections, with a common message that the goal for the elections should be to deliver stability and to enable the country to go out of recurrent political crises,” the UNSMIL said in a post on Twitter.
A top UN reiterated support for upcoming elections in Libya
Zenenga welcomed the engagement of participants with the UNSMIL and underscored the important role of the civil society in contributing to a stable, peaceful and democratic Libya.
“He reiterated UNSMIL’s commitment to supporting Libyans in achieving elections that are timely, credible and inclusive, in line with the Libyan political road map and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and which will yield stability for Libya,” the mission added.
The UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in February selected a new executive authority of a unity government and a presidency council, ending years of political division in the North African country.
The new authority’s main task is to prepare for the general elections to be held on December 24, as endorsed by the LPDF.
Elections were previously planned for early 2019, after having scheduled for December 2018.
Presidency Council of Libya suspends FM Najla Mangoush
The investigation committee will conclude the investigation in 14 days from the date of the Presidency Council’s decision…reports Asian Lite News
The Presidency Council of Libya has suspended Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush and temporarily banned her from travelling over mismanagement allegation, but the decision was rejected by the government.
Najla Mangoush “shall be temporarily suspended for investigation into reported mismanagement, mainly monopoly of foreign policy without prior coordination with the Presidency Council”, the Council said in a statement late Saturday.
Presidency Council of Libya suspends FM Najla Mangoush
She was also banned temporarily from travelling pending the results of the investigation, reports Xinhua news agency.
The investigation committee will conclude the investigation in 14 days from the date of the Presidency Council’s decision.
However, the government rejected the decision and ordered Mangoush to continue working as normal, saying “the Presidency Council has no legal power” to make such a decision.
Libya’s anti-illegal migration department said that 163 illegal migrants have been deported to their native country of Nigeria…reports Asian Lite News
“Based on instructions from the Interior Ministry and the Attorney General’s office, 163 illegal Nigerian migrants, including women and children, managed to return to their country voluntarily in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),” the department added in a statement.
163 illegal migrants deported to Nigeria from Libya
All the migrants have been tested for Covid-19 before departure, it said.
Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Voluntary Humanitarian Return program, run by the IOM, arranges the return of illegal immigrants stranded in Libya to their homelands.
Since 2015, more than 53,000 illegal migrants have returned from Libya through the program, with support from the European Union and the Italian Migration Fund, according to the IOM.
Libya’s JMC holds talks over withdrawal of foreign forces
Libya’s 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) has launched a new round of UN-sponsored talks in Egypt’s capital Cairo to discuss plans for the pullout of foreign forces…reports Asian Lite News
The two-day meeting was attended by UN special envoy for Libya Jan Kubis, and representatives from neighbouring countries, Xinhua quoted Egypt’s official Ahram Online news website as saying in a report.
After the meeting held in Geneva on October 8, the JMC signed a comprehensive Action Plan for the gradual, balanced, and sequenced withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from Libyan territory.
Libya’s JMC holds talks over withdrawal of foreign forces
The work of the 5+5 JMC, or the security track, is one of the three intra-Libyan tracks that the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is working on, along with the economic and political tracks.
These tracks were endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2510 (2020), which called on both parties to reach an agreement for a permanent ceasefire.
Libya has been locked in a civil war since the ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The situation escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord based in the capital Tripoli and a Tobruk-based one allied with military commander Khalifa Haftar.
In February, Libya’s warring factions agreed to form an interim government, under the auspices of the UN, to run the country until the general elections are held on December 24.
IOM deported 140 illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Libya
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that it has deported 140 illegal Bangladeshi migrants to their country of origin…reports Asian Lite News
The migrants, including nine with medical conditions, were assisted to return to Bangladesh from Benghazi last week, in the first Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) flight from the city since the resumption of the IOM’s VHR program, Xinhua news agency quoted the UN migration agency as saying.
IOM deported 140 illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Libya
“Closely facilitated and supported by the Embassy of Bangladesh, the returning migrants underwent health checks and were provided with counselling services and protection screening, as well as personal protective equipment and Covid-19 tests before boarding,” the statement said.
Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of its 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.
The VHR program, run by the IOM, arranges the return of illegal immigrants stranded in Libya to their homelands.
Since 2015, more than 53,000 migrants have been returned from Libya through the VHR programme, with support from the European Union and the Italian Migration Fund, according to the IOM.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed a number of regional issues of mutual interest as well as bilateral relations…reports Asian Lite News
During a video conference call, Sisi and Merkel tackled the latest developments in Libya, stressing the need to continue intensive consultations between the two countries on this important file, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
Merkel
They also discussed Egypt’s vital role and efforts towards settling this crisis permanently as well as Germany’s valued role to coordinate international efforts on the Libyan crisis, reports .
Both sides agreed to move forward in the political process in Libya, leading up to holding national elections in December, stressing the importance of the departure of all foreign forces and terrorists from the Libyan territories.
Sisi and Merkel also exchanged points of view on the Palestinian issue, the statement said, adding that Sisi reviewed Egypt’s efforts to firm up the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and its efforts toward the reconstruction of the seaside enclave.
Sisi also reviewed Egypt’s moves and contacts on the bilateral and regional levels to revive the peace process and reach a just solution to the Palestinian cause, through the resumption of peace talks based on international references.
The call as well tackled the latest developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue, the statement said, adding that Sisi reiterated Egypt’s position which calls for reaching a legally-binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
For her part, Merkel expressed her appreciation for the growing and fruitful cooperation with Egypt over the past years, affirming that her country values the longstanding bonds and firm relations it shares with Egypt.
Merkel also confirmed her keenness on Germany continuing to enhance these relations and to support Egypt’s development efforts in the future, as a firm approach of Germany’s policies.
Meanwhile, Sisi and Merkel discussed ways to further advance bilateral cooperation in all fields, amid the increasing trade and promoting German tourism in Egypt.
The two sides lauded the progress in economic relations between both countries over the past years, stressing the importance of expanding the scope of the two countries’ economic cooperation.
“The international community must speak in one voice terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” said the Indian Foreign Secretary…reports Asian Lite News
Expressing concern over continued presence and activities of ISIL in Libya, India at a UN Security Council briefing on Thursday said that the international community must ensure that terrorist groups and its affiliates must not be allowed to operate in Libya.
Noting that the continued presence and activities of ISIL in Libya as illustrated by the latest report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Management Team of 1267 Committee are of serious concern, he added that the report indicates spread of such activities into the SAHEL Region as well.
“Libya has become a logistical platform for Al Qaeda affiliates in Mali. This is a matter of great concern due to the potential cascading effect it could have on the SAHEL region,” Shringla cautioned while speaking at the UNSC at the Briefing on UNSMIL (Libya),
He said it is unfortunate that the issue is not drawing the attention it deserves.
“The international community must speak in one voice terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the Indian Foreign Secretary emphasized.
Calling for an inclusive and comprehensive national reconciliation process is the need of the hour, he hoped that all parties concerned engage sincerely in this endeavor and urged that the international community to support such a process.
“The sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Libya needs to be safeguarded. The peace process must be fully Libyan led and Libyan owned with no impositions or external interference,” Shringla submitted.
“We also encourage all Libyan parities to continue to make concerted efforts towards unification of all national institutions,” he added.
Stressing upon the need of holding elections as planned on 24 December 2021 in a free and fair manner, the Indian Foreign Secretary said to achieve this, it is vital that the constitutional basis for conducting the elections is agreed upon early.
“Regrettably, consensus in this regard is still elusive,” he noted.
The Indian Foreign Secretary called for provisions of the ceasefire agreement and successive Security Council resolutions need to be respected.
“We need to plan for the disarmament, de-mobilization and re-integration of armed groups and non-state armed actors,” he said.
Stating that India has traditionally enjoyed close and mutually beneficial ties with Libya, Shringla added that the contributions made by Indian enterprises and professionals in critical sectors like energy, manufacturing, education and healthcare continue to support the Libyan economy and society to this day.
“India continues to remain committed to support Libya and the people in their endovour to bring lasting peace in their country. To this end we look forward to working to the government of national unity for providing capacity building and training assistance in mutually identified areas,” he said. (India News Network)
It urged the Libyan different factions to make concessions to make the election process a success….reports Asian Lite News
The Cairo-based Arab League (AL) has called on the Libyan political parties to exert more efforts to overcome obstacles and hold elections on schedule in December this year.
“The AL expressed regret over the failure of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) to reach a deal over a constitutional basis for the elections,” the pan-Arab body said in a statement on Monday.
It urged the Libyan different factions to make concessions to make the election process a success.
The AL called on all sides not to waste the available important opportunity through which the Libyan people will reach stability and find a way to reach a settlement.
On July 3, the UN announced that the LPDF meeting which aimed to reach a final agreement on the constitutional basis regulating the upcoming elections failed after a strenuous five-day negotiation in Geneva.
The meeting attendees debated fiercely on whether to hold parliamentary elections only or holding parliamentary and presidential elections at the same time.
Meanwhile, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has welcomed the launch of the voter registration by the country’s High National Elections Commission for the upcoming elections.
“The UNSMIL congratulates the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) on the launch of the voter registration update and considers this event to be a key milestone towards the realization of the Libyan people’s overwhelming demand for national elections on December 24 2021,” the agency said in a statement.
“After many years of conflict and division, after more than seven years without national elections, there is a new opportunity to move forward and for Libyans to exercise one of their most basic rights,” UN Assistant Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Georgette Gagnon, said during the launch event.
Gagnon noted that while the launch of the digital voter registration update is a first concrete step towards the holding of elections, it remains imperative that a constitutional basis and a feasible legal framework are in place to enable the implementation of further preparations.
On July 2, UNSMIL announced that the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) meeting aiming to reach a final agreement on the constitutional basis regulating the upcoming elections failed after a strenuous five-day negotiation in Geneva.
UNSMIL appealed to the LPDF to accelerate their deliberations, to reach compromises, and finalize the proposal for the constitutional basis for elections.
“We also appeal to the parliament to fulfil its role and adopt a legal framework that would enable concrete implementation steps and allow the Libyan people to exercise their democratic rights on 24 December,” the statement said.
The LPDF selected a new executive authority of a unity government and a presidency council, ending years of political division in the country.
The main task of the new government is to prepare for the general elections to be held on December 24, as endorsed by the LPDF.
