UN Security Council calls for ‘lasting cease-fire’ in Libya

A destroyed tank south of Tripoli. A fragile truce has been in place in Libya since January. (Reuters)
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Updated 13 February 2020
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UN Security Council calls for ‘lasting cease-fire’ in Libya

  • Deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all foreign interference in the country
  • Eastern forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar will not allow the United Nations to use the only functioning airport in the capital Tripoli

UNITED NATIONS, United States: The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for a “lasting cease-fire” in war-torn Libya, where a fragile truce has been in place since January.
The text, drafted by Britain, was approved by 14 votes out of 15, with Russia abstaining.
It was subject to weeks of discussions, reflecting deep international divisions over Libya despite world leaders recently agreeing to end all foreign interference in the country and to uphold a weapons embargo.

Meanwhile, Eastern forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar will not allow the United Nations to use the only functioning airport in the capital Tripoli which they have been trying to take in a campaign, a force spokesman said on Wednesday.
Force spokesman Ahmed Mismari told reporters the UN would have to use other airports such as Misrata because it could not guarantee the safety of flights into Tripoli Mitiga airport as Turkey was using it as base.
The UN mission to Libya earlier on Wednesday accused Haftar’s forces of blocking flights carrying UN staff to Libya.


Trump warns Iran not to escalate attacks, saying US will strike back with force

Updated 58 min 6 sec ago
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Trump warns Iran not to escalate attacks, saying US will strike back with force

  • Trump’s comments follow Iranian threats on Sunday morning after acknowledging the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

DUBAI: US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday not to escalate its attacks, writing online that America will strike back ‘WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”
Trump’s comments on Truth Social follow Iranian threats on Sunday morning after acknowledging the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” Trump wrote. “THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”

Iran’s parliament speaker on Sunday called the leaders of the United States and Israel “filthy criminals” who will face “devastating blows” for their ongoing attacks on the Islamic Republic.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the comment in a televised address.
Qalibaf is the highest-ranking official to appear on camera since the attacks began Saturday.
“You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” he said. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”