Caretaker Minister of Justice, Judge Henry Khoury, on Friday received in his office at the Ministry, German Ambassador to Lebanon, Andreas Kindl, with discussions reportedly touching on joint judicial affairs.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
MIKATI WELCOMES MOSCOW MUFTI AT GRAND SERAIL
Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Friday welcomed at the Grand Serail, Mufti of Moscow and the Head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti Albir Hazrat Krganov, in the presence of Russia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov. The Mufti of Moscow is currently visiting Lebanon at the head of a delegation from the Assembly.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Saudi Minister of Communications & IT and French Minister of Digital Transition Discuss Digital Economy Growth
The Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, met Wednesday with the French Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noel Barrot.
During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the areas of expanding Saudi-French partnership and cooperation in the digital economy, supporting growth through technology, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship.
The Saudi-French Ministers also discussed cooperation in developing digital skills and supporting innovative business models by building ecosystems that accelerate the growth of pioneering companies.
Eng. Al-Swaha reviewed the pillars that make the regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the most significant technology and innovation market, with spending exceeding $42 billion.
He also highlighted that the Kingdom is the most attractive destination for digital talents, with over 340,000 human technology capabilities.
Additionally, he reviewed models to support entrepreneurship, such as the Garage and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP).
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Libyans charting way to secure and prosperous future, but challenges lie ahead
Stephanie Williams, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN’s mission in Libya, UNSMIL, outlined recent developments including a nationwide ceasefire agreed last month and the start of political dialogue last week in neighbouring Tunisia.
“After many years of oppression, division, chaos, misery and conflict, Libyans are coming together for the sake of Libya, for the sake of their children and grandchildren, to chart a Libyan vision for the way forward that has the opportunity to preserve the country’s unity and reassert its sovereignty,” she said, speaking via video link.
Guns silenced, civilians protected
Ms. Williams recalled that the historic truce for Libya was reached in Geneva on 23 October, where a Joint Military Commission, comprising representatives from the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA), “set their differences aside and, guided by their patriotic spirit, responded to the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire.”
The agreement provides for the withdrawal of all military units and armed groups from the frontlines, as well as for mercenaries and foreign fighters to depart Libya, within 90 days.
With the ceasefire holding, UNSMIL has facilitated dialogue between the GNA, located in the west of the country, and the LNA, which holds power over larges areas in the east.
The Joint Military Commission has developed terms for a ceasefire- monitoring mechanism, while a coastal road critical for travel and the transportation of goods has been reopened, and a prisoner exchange programme is ongoing.
“The sharp decrease in the number of civilian casualties compared to the second quarter of 2020 is another reminder that when the guns are silenced, civilians are protected,” said Ms. Williams.
Roadmap to elections
Meanwhile, Libya is now back to producing oil following the lifting of a months-long blockade, and a project to unify and restructure forces protecting petroleum facilities is underway.
Ms. Williams convened the parties in Tunis last week, paving the start of political dialogue. The 75 participants, 16 of them women, represented Libya’s main geographical, social and political constituencies. The outcome was a political roadmap that includes elections on 24 December 2021, the 70th anniversary of Libya’s independence.
“Libyans have made it clear. Organization of presidential and parliamentary elections is their demand and must be our common objective,” she said.
No time for complacency
However, the top UN official warned “there is no time for complacency” as the situation in Libya remains volatile.
Although the Joint Military Commission seeks to operationalize the ceasefire agreement, the sides have yet to withdraw their forces, while arrangements for the distribution of oil revenues will depend on progress on the political track.
Ms. Williams also urged the international community to fully respect and support the various agreements made by the parties, stating “This Council has tools at its disposal including to prevent obstructionists from jeopardizing this rare opportunity to restore peace in Libya. I call on you to use them.”
In his address to the Council, Libya’s UN Ambassador, Taher Al-Sunni, emphasized several points for the current political dialogues to succeed, such as the need for a binding resolution to support what the Libyans agree on in their various dialogues.
Mr. Al-Sunni also spoke out against foreign intervention in his country.
“We call on the Security Council and international community to take this opportunity and to show goodwill by supporting the will of the Libyan people and their right to self-determination; not to use Libya as a way to settle scores”, he said, speaking through an interpreter.
Security and shared prosperity
While optimistic about Libya’s future, Ms. Williams said she remains “clear-eyed” about the challenges that lie ahead.
“Ten years of war cannot be solved in one week of political talks, but we hear more now the language of peace rather than the language of war,” she told ambassadors.
“Only shared responsibility, nurtured by patriotism and love of the country, can lead to the shared security and prosperity for which so many Libyans yearn. Libyans deserve, if not the support, then at least the non-interference of the main international actors as they seek to forge a sovereign political path forward for future Libyan generations.”
Source: EMM/ UN
Norland expresses to Al-Mangoush his country’s appreciation for Libya’s support for efforts to stop the fighting in neighboring Sudan.
The US Ambassador and Special Envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, expressed his country’s appreciation for Libya’s support for efforts to stop the fighting in neighboring Sudan.
“Norland” said in a tweet published by the US Embassy in Libya on its account on the (Twitter) network. “In my meeting with the Libyan Foreign Minister, Mangoush, I expressed our appreciation for Libya’s support for efforts to stop the fighting in neighboring Sudan, and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with international partners to support the envoy’s efforts. Secretary-General of the United Nations Batili’s Special Special Conference on Facilitating Successful Elections in Libya.”
Source: Libyan News Agency
Norland and the Director of the American-Libyan Chamber of Commerce are discussing the opportunities available to American companies in Libya.
The US Special Envoy to Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland, expressed his happiness at his meeting with the Director of the American-Libyan Chamber of Commerce.
“Norland” said in a tweet that he posted on the US Embassy’s Twitter page, ((The meeting dealt with discussing the opportunities available to American companies in Libya)).
Source: Libyan News Agency