A Libyan man now in US custody and charged for his alleged role in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland, was held by Libyan militias for several weeks. Four Libyan security and government officials with direct knowledge of the operation recounted the journey that ended with Mas'ud in Washington. In Misrata, Mas'ud was interrogated by Libyan officers in the presence of US intelligence officers, said a Libyan official briefed on the interrogation. Some have questioned the legality of Mas'ud's handover, given the role of informal armed groups and a lack of official extradition procedures. Harchaoui, the analyst, said Mas'ud's extradition signals the US is condoning what he portrayed as lawless behavior.

Opposition leader Bernard Grech said that government should withdraw its bill amending the criminal code to allow for abortions when the woman’s life and health is at stake. Grech pointed out that several academics have criticised the bill for being too wide in its interpretation of health. Robert Abela is not interested in life.”Grech added that Abela should have withdrawn the bill in the face of all the criticism being leveraged against it. He also said that the Nationalist Party will be voting against the bill in its second reading in parliament on Monday. An anti-abortion march in Valletta attracted thousands of people, including Nationalist Party politicians, members of the clergy, and other personalities like River of Love pastor Gordon Manche.

Amnesty International has criticized the handover of Abu Agila Masoud Al-Marimi, a former Libyan intelligence operative, to the U.S. where he faces charges over alleged involvement in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. He was then held by another militia for two weeks before being handed over to US agents. “In this case even a facade of legality was not maintained … there was no hearing for [Masud] to challenge the lawfulness of his detention and transfer,” she added. The exact legal justification for the transfer of Masud is unclear. Libya does not have an extradition treaty with the US, no court is known to have considered any request from Washington nor from the government of Libya, and there is no record of any warrant issued for Masud’s detention.

The Libyan Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, officially rejected Egypt’s unilateral decision to demarcate its western maritime borders, considering it as a violation of its territorial waters and the continental shelf of the Libyan state. “This demarcation is unjust because it was unilaterally announced,” reads a statement from the government’s foreign ministry. “It violates Libya’s territorial integrity and the principles of good faith and respect for sovereignty”. “The delimitation of the borders between the two countries must take place by mutual agreement through negotiations that guarantee the interests of both parties and respect the principle of equality”, adds the statement. In recent days, the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al Sisi, signed a presidential decree to define the western borders of his exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

ANKARA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Dec, 2022 ) :Ankara is calling on Libya and Egypt to start dialogue and negotiations "as soon as possible" to resolve the differences between the two countries over the demarcation of maritime borders, Turkish diplomatic sources said on Sunday. The sources' remarks came after Libya on Friday rejected a Dec. 11 decision by Egypt to unilaterally demarcate its western maritime borders with neighboring Libya with nine geographic coordinates. The sources said that Egypt's decision does not overlap with T�rkiye's continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is not clear which method was used for the delimitation of this boundary line or whether special/relevant geographical circumstances were taken into account or the principle of equity was fully respected, they added. The sources also said that the declared boundary line seems to violate Libya's continental shelf rights, as it was drawn west of the median line between the mainland coasts of those two countries.

Türkiye calls on Libya, Egypt to initiate maritime border dialogue 'as soon as possible'Egypt's unilateral decision on maritime borders does not overlap with Türkiye’s continental shelf in Eastern Mediterranean, say Turkish diplomatic sources

Maltese authorities intercepted a group of 14 British ex-military personnel led by Jack Mann – one of Prince Harry’s closest friends – on their way to Libya last Saturday, MaltaToday has confirmed. One of the group’s leaders was Jack Mann, 40, the co-founder of Alma Risk, a private security company which “identifies, develops and delivers security” across the globe. The company which is based in London, provides a number of security services to its clients. But the group was intercepted by the Maltese police, who had serious concerns over the men’s activities. According to Jack Mann’s own biography on the Alma Risk website, he was working for Aegis Defence Services as their country manager in Libya.

Analysts said the Tripoli-based government responsible for handing over Masud was likely seeking U.S. goodwill and favour amid the power struggles in Libya. After Masud's release from prison, the Biden administration intensified extradition demands, Libyan officials said. In Misrata, Masud was interrogated by Libyan officers in the presence of U.S. intelligence officers, said a Libyan official briefed on the interrogation. Some have questioned the legality of Masud's handover, given the role of informal armed groups and a lack of official extradition procedures. Harchaoui, the analyst, said Masud's extradition signals the U.S. is condoning what he portrayed as lawless behavior.

Libyan officials have cited an Interpol warrant. “This is clearly illegal under Libyan law. It was very obviously an extraordinary rendition contrary to international law,” said Jason Pack, author of Libya and the Global Enduring Disorder. Libyan militia in Tripoli. Two weeks later, US officials collected Masud and flew their captive to Malta on a secret flight and then on to the US, Libyan officials said.

Four Libyan security and government officials with direct knowledge of the operation recounted the journey that ended with Mas’ud in Washington. After Mas’ud’s release from prison, the Biden administration intensified extradition demands, Libyan officials said. In Misrata, Mas’ud was interrogated by Libyan officers in the presence of US intelligence officers, said a Libyan official briefed on the interrogation. Some have questioned the legality of Mas’ud’s handover, given the role of informal armed groups and a lack of official extradition procedures. Harchaoui, the analyst, said Mas’ud’s extradition signals the US is condoning what he portrayed as lawless behavior.

A powerful militia was involved in the clandestine detention and questioning of a suspect in the 1988 downing of a New York-bound Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, according to Libyan officials. Militiamen rushed into Mas’ud’s bedroom and seized him, transporting him blindfolded to a detention centre run by the SSA in Tripoli, officials said. In Misrata, Mas’ud was interrogated by Libyan officers in the presence of US intelligence officers, said a Libyan official briefed on the interrogation. Some have questioned the legality of Mas’ud’s handover, given the role of informal armed groups and a lack of official extradition procedures. Mr Harchaoui said Mas’ud’s extradition signals the US is condoning what he portrayed as lawless behaviour.

The European Union is accused of breaking international law by Frontex conducting aerial surveillance hosted in a hangar at Luqa airport that is sharing information on migrant boat locations with Libya. Using that information, Libya is, in turn, pulling would-be asylum seekers back to Libya where they face the almost certain prospects of detention, degrading treatment and torture. An analysis published by the humanitarian organisation shows, “How the agency [Frontex] uses aerial surveillance demonstrates that it is in service of interceptions, not rescues. “The EU and its agency, Frontex, are sending fewer and fewer ships to the Mediterranean, on purpose,” she told The Shift. The analysis reveals that almost one-third of these interceptions were facilitated by intelligence gathered by Frontex through aerial surveillance.

“The kidnapping and extradition of the Libyan citizen Abu Agila Al-Marimi falls under seeking political support from the United States of America,” the deputy head of the Libyan Tribes Union, Faraj Talluba, confirmed. “The kidnapping and extradition of al-Marimi represents blackmailing the Libyan people to seize the remaining frozen Libyan assets,” said Talluba, who represents the largest gathering of Libyan tribes. “The process of handing over al-Maryami proves that the government of Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh derives its legitimacy from abroad and not from the Libyan people, which contradicts the simplest principles of democracy promoted by western countries that support this government,” said the tribal leader.

Libyan officials say a powerful militia was involved in the clandestine detention and questioning of a suspect in the 1988 downing of a New York-bound PanAm flight over Lockerbie, Scotland. After Mas’ud's release from prison, the Biden administration intensified extradition demands, Libyan officials said. In Misrata, Mas'ud was interrogated by Libyan officers in the presence of U.S. intelligence officers, said a Libyan official briefed on the interrogation. Some have questioned the legality of Mas'ud's handover, given the role of informal armed groups and a lack of official extradition procedures. Harchaoui, the analyst, said Mas'ud's extradition signals the U.S. is condoning what he portrayed as lawless behavior.

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