CAIRO: Ahmed Gaddaf Al-Dam, political leader of the Libyan National Struggle Front (LNSF) and cousin of the late Muammar Qaddafi, accused Qatar, Turkey and Sudan of working to fuel the conflict in his country.
They are doing so “for the service of Israel, the fragmentation of Libya and the division of its territories, the forfeiture of its people and resources, and the installation of a puppet government,” he said in a statement.
Hundreds of Daesh militants have entered Libya via Tunisia from Syria and Iraq, he said, accusing European countries of overlooking this.
“Libya has been subjected to a major conspiracy, and the West does not want to end the conflict in Libya because Western interests conflict with Arab interests,” he added.
A spokesman for the Libyan National Army (LNA) earlier warned of continued pockets of Daesh and Al-Qaeda in the country, and said intelligence reports confirmed the movement of Daesh terrorists from Syria and Iraq to Libya with the help of foreign countries.
Gaddaf Al-Dam said the LNA “captured a few weeks ago many groups of intruding terrorists in Kafrah” in southeast Libya, and some terrorists entering the country then head to Egypt.
He accused some quarters in Qatar and Libya of conspiring to kill him, warning them that they are “messing with the lion’s tail.”
Libyans are helpless due to the lack of a recognized political administration that can protect them, Gaddaf Al-Dam said.
“I feel pain every day and cry every morning because of the situation Libya has reached,” he added.
The LNSF was established on Dec. 16, 2015, and includes 10 Libyan political organizations inside and outside the country.
It supports the LNA under the command of Khalifa Haftar to “restore the sovereignty of Libya and purge it from terrorism and terrorists, and restore safety and security to the Libyan people.”
The LNSF says it aims to reach lasting national reconciliation without any foreign interference.
Gaddaf Al-Dam warned all those conspiring against Libya: “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
Meanwhile, the LNA said the operation to clear Benghazi of terrorist pockets is ongoing. The area around the Baladi Hotel has witnessed fighting for about 10 days amid a cautious advance by the LNA due to the presence of land mines.
Gaddaf Al-Dam said he was not surprised by US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital because that was his declared position since the election campaign.
Libyan leader: Qatar, Turkey and Sudan stoking conflict
Libyan leader: Qatar, Turkey and Sudan stoking conflict
‘Negotiations with Iran have to happen,’ Steve Witkoff tells Arab News
- US special envoy to the Middle East: ‘If Iran goes, so the region goes’
DAVOS: Iran must come and sit at the diplomatic table, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told Arab News on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“That has to happen. It’s important. If Iran goes, so the region goes, and so we have to get that straight,” the envoy said.
Since the outbreak of anti-government demonstrations, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Iran’s leaders to halt the violent crackdown on protesters, vowing “very strong action” if executions go ahead. He has also called on Iranians to keep demonstrating and “take over institutions,” declaring that “help is on the way.”
Although Trump has so far stepped back from direct military intervention (at least since June’s attack on Iranian nuclear facilities), tensions remain high and a diplomatic breakthrough has proved elusive. On Tuesday, Davos organizers announced that the invitation to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been rescinded, citing “the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks.”
Araghchi condemned the move, accusing the forum of “blatant double standards” and of bowing to Western pressure. The decision came as the newly created Gaza peace board drew mixed reactions from governments already wary of further inflaming regional sensitivities.
Despite the fraught context, Witkoff insisted that the Middle East was moving in the right direction.
“I think it’s amazing what’s happening. Everybody is, I think, working together towards peace. Everyone’s bought into presidents Trump’s ideas about border peace, and I think I’m very hopeful.”
More than ten countries have reportedly signed on to the main “Board of Peace” (chaired by Trump), which carries a reported budget of $1 billion. Saudi Arabia has welcomed the initiative but as of Wednesday had not released any official statement.
European leaders in Davos appeared more skeptical, with France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni all reported to be weighing whether to decline the invitation.
Witkoff, alongside six others on the seven-member executive board (including Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner and Tony Blair), are expected to focus on diplomacy and investment while overseeing Gaza’s on-the-ground administration through the “Gaza Executive Board” and a national committee involving Palestinian technocrats.
Further announcements on participation are expected on Thursday following a fresh round of diplomatic maneuvering in Davos, as capitals weigh the board’s potential impact on existing UN-led efforts.
