BENGHAZI, Libya: A high-level delegation from Libya’s parallel government in the east visited the main southern city of Sabha on Monday after its forces this month seized control of the city, an official said.
The eastern government is allied to Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army (LNA) launched a campaign this month in southwestern Libya. Sabha had been nominally under the control of the internationally recognized government in Tripoli but in reality was run by local groups including tribes.
Control of Sabha is seen as vital for securing southern Libya’s oilfields, one of the stated goals of the LNA campaign.
The interior, health and junior justice ministers of the eastern government, which is based in Benghazi, were seen meeting local officials in the municipality of Sabha in pictures sent to Reuters by members of the visiting delegation.
There was no immediate comment from Tripoli on the visit, which further highlighted the internationally recognized government’s continued lack of authority in most of Libya.
The LNA has secured Sabha airport and other strategic sites in the area in recent days, after local groups handed them over without a fight.
The LNA says its campaign is aimed at combating militant groups and securing oil facilities in the south, which include El Sharara oilfield, Libya’s biggest.
On Monday LNA forces killed a suspected Al-Qaeda fighter called Adel Ahmed Al-Abdaly when they stormed his house in Sabha, LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari said. Otherwise the city has been largely quiet since the arrival of the LNA.
Al Qaeda and Islamic State have been using southern Libya as a base for attacks in Libya and neighboring countries, exploiting a security vacuum created by the fall of dictator Muammar Qaddafi in a 2011 rebellion backed by NATO air strikes.
Eastern Libya government delegation visits key southern city of Sabha
Eastern Libya government delegation visits key southern city of Sabha
- Sabha had been nominally under the control of the internationally recognized government in Tripoli but in reality was run by local groups
- The eastern government is allied to Khalifa Haftar
Arab League condemns Israeli settlers’ attack on mosque near Nablus
- The Arab League said that the targeting of religious sanctities is a dangerous escalation that undermines any international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability
- The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that settlers vandalized or attacked 45 mosques in the West Bank last year
LONDON: The Arab League condemned on Tuesday the burning of a Palestinian mosque by Israeli settlers during an attack on the village of Tell near Nablus, north of the occupied West Bank.
On Monday morning, settlers vandalized the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque by spray-painting offensive phrases and starting a fire, which left the place filled with black smoke and soot.
The Arab League said that the targeting of religious sanctities is a dangerous escalation that fuels hate speech and violence, undermining any international efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability, according to Wafa news agency.
It called on the UN to take concrete steps to stop these repeated attacks and ensure the protection of places of worship.
The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that settlers vandalized or attacked 45 mosques in the West Bank last year.
The recent incident occurred as Muslims began observing the holy month of Ramadan last week, which continues into March. Israeli forces have increased their presence in the West Bank and around the city of Jerusalem, allowing only children under 12, men over 55, and women over 50 to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque.
