Egypt, UAE, France, Greece and Cyprus condemn Turkey's actions in Libya, Cyprus

A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt (pictured minsiter Sameh Shoukry), Greece, Cyprus, France and the UAE said that the latest worrying developments in the eastern Mediterranean were discussed, in addition to a number of regional crises that threaten peace and stability in that region. (File/AFP)
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Updated 12 May 2020
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Egypt, UAE, France, Greece and Cyprus condemn Turkey's actions in Libya, Cyprus

CAIRO: Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, France and Cyprus on Monday expressed their regret over the escalation of violence in Libya, and considered that Turkey’s agreement with the government of reconciliation threatens regional stability.
A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, France and the UAE said that the latest worrying developments in the eastern Mediterranean were discussed, in addition to a number of regional crises that threaten peace and stability in that region.
The ministers stressed the strategic importance of strengthening and intensifying their political consultations, and praised the results of the Cairo meeting on Jan. 8, 2020, to enhance security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and expressed their deep concern over the current escalation and the ongoing provocative moves in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Ministers condemned the illegal Turkish movements taking place in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone and its territorial waters, for the apparent violation of international law in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 
This is the sixth attempt by Turkey, in less than a year, to conduct illegal excavations within the sea areas of Cyprus.
The ministers also condemned the escalation of Turkish violations of Greek airspace, including flights over populated areas and territorial waters, in violation of international law. Moreover, the ministers condemned the systematic exploitation of civilians by Turkey and the attempt to push them toward illegally crossing the Greek land and sea borders.
They demanded the Libyan parties to commit to a truce during the holy month of Ramadan, and affirmed their commitment to work toward a comprehensive political solution to the Libyan crisis under the auspices of the United Nations, and they expressed their keenness to resume the commitments of the Berlin process, including political, military, economic and financial.


Israel army says killed six Gaza militants despite ceasefire

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Israel army says killed six Gaza militants despite ceasefire

  • The military said that it had killed two of six militants it had identified adjacent to its troops in western Rafah and that tanks had fired on them

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said Wednesday it had killed six militants in an updated toll from an exchange of fire in Gaza the day before, accusing them of violating the ceasefire in the territory.
The military said in a statement late on Tuesday that it had killed two of six militants it had identified adjacent to its troops in western Rafah and that tanks had fired on them.
It said they were killed in an ensuing exchange of fire, including aerial strikes, while troops continued to search for the rest.
In a statement on Wednesday, the military said that “following searches that were conducted in the area, it is now confirmed that troops eliminated the six terrorists during the exchange of fire.”
It said the presence of the militants adjacent to troops and the subsequent incident were a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
A security source in Gaza reported late on Tuesday that Israeli forces had “opened fire west of Rafah city.”
Under a truce that entered into force in October following two years of war between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces in Gaza withdrew to positions behind a demarcation known as the “yellow line.”
The city of Rafah is located behind the yellow line, under Israeli army control. The area beyond the yellow line remains under Hamas authority.
Both sides have repeatedly accused the other of violating the ceasefire.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, which operates under Hamas authority, at least 165 children have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began on October 10.
The UN children’s agency UNICEF said on Tuesday that at least 100 children — 60 boys and 40 girls — had been killed since the truce.
Israeli forces have killed a total of at least 447 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the ministry.
The Israeli army says militants have killed three of its soldiers during the same period.