18 February 2024 10:40 (UTC+04:00)Ulviyya Shahin Read moreAbdoulaye Bathily, special representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), on Saturday called on Libyan leaders to come together to build a strong, united, and resilient Libya, Azernews reports, citing foreign media. "It is imperative that Libyan leaders acknowledge their responsibility and be held accountable for their decisions and actions, as they directly impact the lives of the Libyan people. They must come together, settle all politically contentious issues, and agree on a way forward to build a strong, united, and resilient Libya," Bathily said in a statement on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the Feb. 17 revolution. Bathily reiterated UNSMIL's commitment to supporting the Libyan people in their pursuit of peace, justice, legitimate institutions, and inclusive governance. Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements among the Libyan parties over election laws.

The current situation in Libya poses a significant risk to the North African nation's unity, the UN's special representative to the country warned on Saturday. "It is imperative that Libyan leaders acknowledge their responsibility and be held accountable for their decisions and actions, as they directly impact the lives of the Libyan people," Bathily said in the statement, released by UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). He reaffirmed UNSMIL's commitment to "supporting the Libyan people in their pursuit of peace, justice, legitimate institutions, and inclusive governance." Libyans hope to hold parliamentary and presidential elections to end conflicts and divisions that have manifested since early 2022. Two governments currently exist in the country: One led by Osama Hamad and mandated by the House of Representatives in the east of the country, and the other the Government of National Unity led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, based in the capital Tripoli, which enjoys international recognition.

The Japanese Defense Ministry will allow Self-Defense Forces recruits to have longer hair from April this year as it aims to make the armed services more attractive to young people. "As our nation faces a serious workforce shortage, we recognize competition with others, including the private sector, to secure talent has been intensifying," Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told the expert panel meeting on Jan 18. It is his "mission" as the defense chief to improve the working environment for each SDF officer and secure excellent personnel, Kihara added. The move comes as Japan faces a worsening regional security environment caused by China's rapid military buildup and North Korea's expanding missile and nuclear programs. In a related move, the Defense Ministry has also been considering allowing people with tattoos to join the SDF by reviewing the current guidelines banning them from applying to be SDF cadets.

"As we reflect on this occasion today, it is crucial for all Libyan leaders to recognize the daily struggles faced by their fellow citizens and work towards fulfilling their aspirations." Bathily added in a statement published by UNSMIL. He added that the current status quo poses a significant threat to the unity of Libya. "It is imperative that Libyan leaders acknowledge their responsibility and be held accountable for their decisions and actions, as they directly impact the lives of the Libyan people. "On this occasion, I reiterate UNSMIL’s commitment to supporting the Libyan people in their pursuit of peace, justice, legitimate institutions, and inclusive governance."

A delegation from the Libyan Navy has joined a US maritime security workshop for African naval forces, the US Embassy reports. "We value the participation of the Libyan Navy delegation in the US Naval Forces Africa maritime security workshop, and we look forward to continuing to engage professional Libyan Navy officers from throughout the country as they seek to improve security in Libya's maritime domain," the embassy stated on its X account on Friday. The embassy explained that the workshop aims to enhance collaboration and promote maritime awareness, safety, and prosperity with Washington's regional maritime allies and partners.

“As it relates to our support for Ukraine, we must be unwavering and we cannot play political games,” she said. The Gaza war began with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed at least 28,858 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. The foreign ministers of Egypt and Saudi Arabia also underlined in Munich the catastrophic situation facing civilians in Gaza. “That is why moving on with Saudi Arabia will clearly be a victory over what Hamas did,” he added.

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Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) threaten blocking gas production to Mellitah Complex http://lyo.ly/5iefUN envoy: Libyan major actors unwilling to settle political disputes http://lyo.ly/5ieeParallel government cancels February revolution celebrations in solidarity with floods victims http://lyo.ly/5iecItalian interior minister in Tripoli to discuss migration, border security http://lyo.ly/5ie7Authorities retrieve over 190 unidentified bodies in Derna http://lyo.ly/5ie6Algeria announces establishment of free zone with Libya http://lyo.ly/5ie2HoR representatives demands that Palestinian issue be made a priority for Arab Parliament http://lyo.ly/5ie1Royal Air Maroc explores direct flights to Libya http://lyo.ly/5idzHaftar's sons lead military maneuvers in Sirte, Jufra with Russian support http://lyo.ly/5idyLibyan-Ghanaian discussions on establishment of African Investment Bank in Tripoli http://lyo.ly/5ie4Menfi reiterates priority of national companies in developing Hamada oilfield http://lyo.ly/5iedMinistry of Finance: Salaries delayed due to the failure to approve state budget http://lyo.ly/5ie3442 immigrants retuned to Libya from the Mediterranean in a week http://lyo.ly/5iduUN report says ISIS is still active in south Libya http://lyo.ly/5idtLibyan Sharara oilfield resumes production by 260.000 bpd http://lyo.ly/5idsHCS urges redirection of celebration funds ahead of Feb 17 http://lyo.ly/5idpBathily affirms commitment to involving Libyan factions in political solution http://lyo.ly/5idlErdogan backs direct Libyan elections, avoiding further transitional stages http://lyo.ly/5idkMenfi participates in NEPAD's meeting to discuss African 2063 agenda http://lyo.ly/5idhLibyan debt inventory team in Jordan completed its work http://lyo.ly/5idfHoR committee discusses with German delegation possibility of opening consulate in Benghazi http://lyo.ly/5ideLibya seeks cooperation with WHO to develop health sector http://lyo.ly/5idqTurkey’s Karanfil Group launches electronic platform to enhance trade with Libya http://lyo.ly/5idg

The "rat revolution", as Gaddafi called it in a delirious speech at the end of February, continued for another eight months, supported by NATO bombings. The death of the dictator led to the first democratic elections in Libya on 7 July 2012, which were followed by another election for the current House of Representatives way back in 2014. The Tripoli government has prepared a large demonstration for tomorrow in Martyrs' Square, the former Green Square of the deceased Gaddafi Jamahiriyya. “The question is whether this is an attempt by Haftar to curry favor with the Greens,” a Libyan source tells “Agenzia Nova”. Khaled and Saddam Haftar were recently promoted from brigadier general to major general.

Vatican hosts veneration of relics of 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya on first feast dayThe relics of 21 Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS in Libya will be venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening at an ecumenical prayer service marking their first official feast day in the Catholic Church. Feb 16, 2024Icon of the 21 Martyrs of Libya. Pope Francis added the 21 Coptic martyrs to the Roman Martyrology, the Church’s official list of saints, last May as he met with the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Tawadros II. The Egyptian government and the Coptic Orthodox Church later confirmed the video’s authenticity. The Coptic Orthodox Church declared the 21 Coptic Christians as martyr saints within only a week of their murder in 2015 along the Libyan coast.

Adding to the complexities is the reality of two rival administrations, with the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) based in Tripoli and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in the east. The President of the Presidential Council (PC), Mohamed al-Menfi,“does not want to be seen as a party, but is prepared to act as facilitator to support my initiative”, Special Representative Bathily told ambassadors. Security Council's 'critical role'Mr. Bathily reiterated the UN's readiness to consider proposals that could lead to a solution based on a peaceful and inclusive settlement. He highlighted that the Security Council and the international community have a“critical role” to play in pressuring Libyan leaders to engage constructively. On the security front, hundreds of Chadian mercenaries and foreign fighters reportedly returned from Libya to Chad, however, security in southern Libya remains alarming due to the crises in Sudan and the vast Sahel region.

Sarr won the Marcello Mastroianni prize for best emerging actor at the Venice Film Festival, where the film premiered. In real life, the actors had little knowledge of the horrors of the migrant route before they began filming in their native Senegal. "Matteo made this movie to let you see what happens in fact, the reality of what we (Africans) suffer to come to Europe,'' Sarr said. His dream is that “Io Capitano” will influence migrant policy around the globe by focusing public attention on the often untold-horrors. Kouassi, the two young actors and the director are currently in the United States promoting “Io Capitano” in its Oscar campaign.

“Climate and conflict are two leading drivers of (our) global food crisis,” the secretary-general said. And in Myanmar, prospects of ending hunger have gone into reverse because of conflict and instability, he said. Simon Stiell, the United Nations climate chief, told the council that climate change is contributing to food insecurity and to conflict. Framework Convention on Climate Change said the Security Council “must acknowledge more can be done rather than hoping the problem will go away — which it won’t.”The U.N.’s most powerful body should be requesting regular updates on climate security risks, he said. But climate change, environmental and security pressures have led to increased tensions and competition between herders and farmers for scarce resources including water and land, she said.

In the arid landscapes of Libya, a coastal town, renowned for its bone-dry desert terrains, is now grappling with an unprecedented challenge. Also Read: Groundwater Depletion Threatens Food Security in the US, Researchers WarnEnvironmental Repercussions UnleashedThe groundwater upsurge is not just a structural menace but also an environmental catastrophe. According to the experts, the groundwater upsurge is likely caused by a combination of factors, such as climate change, overexploitation of aquifers, and seismic activity. A Town in LimboThe groundwater upsurge has left the town of Zliten in a state of limbo. The groundwater upsurge is a silent crisis that demands urgent attention and action.

In an urgent appeal to the heart of Libya's political turmoil, Abdoulaye Bathily, the U.N. special envoy for Libya, has sounded the alarm on the country's precarious path towards disintegration. The envoy's address to the Security Council laid bare the stark reality: without immediate action to form a unified government and progress towards elections, Libya stands on the brink of falling apart. Libya, a nation once buoyed by the promise of a post-Gadhafi future, now finds itself mired in a complex web of political strife. Yet, the emphasis on dialogue without preconditions, coupled with a unified international approach, offers a glimmer of hope. As Libya teeters on the brink, the collective will to forge a unified government and pave the way for elections emerges as the only beacon of hope.