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18 Jan 2019 - NPWJ News Digest on Libya
Articles
Tensions escalate in Libya after Haftar's moves
Daily Sabah, 18 Jan 2019
ibya is living in worried anticipation of whether clashes will renew as forces loyal to Gen. Khalifa Haftar made a recent move in the country's south with the claim of protecting the oil fields and combating Daesh extremists.
Haftar, who has been leading the Libyan National Army (LNA), based in Benghazi is not recognized by the international community, as the elected parliament of the country is centered in Tripoli. However, Haftar, with financial and political support from certain countries, including the Gulf, has appeared as a primary actor in the war-torn country. The dispute between Benghazi and Tripoli resulted in a United Nations mediated cease-fire four months ago. However, the cease-fire has been violated after recent developments.
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Libya: Civilians Under Threat from Militias
Human Rights Watch, 17 Jan 2019
Unaccountable and violent armed groups maintain a stranglehold on Libya, while civilians pay the price in the divided country, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2019. Libyan authorities should prioritize justice sector reform and establishing accountability, particularly for members of armed groups.
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Clashes between rival groups kill at least two people in Libya
Aljazeera, 16 Jan 2019
At least two people have been killed in clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital of Tripoli. The fighting on Wednesday violated a UN-brokered ceasefire which was signed four months ago. "The clashes resulted in two killed and 17 wounded from both civilians and fighters," Tripoli health department official Malik Marsit told Reuters news agency.
The groups involved in the clashes are known as the Seventh Brigade, or Kaniyat, and a collection of factions called Tripoli Protection Force.
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Qaddafi Son Wants Libya Presidential Vote as Soon as Possible
Bloomberg, 12 Jan 2019
Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, the fugitive son of former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, supports holding presidential elections as soon as possible, a representative said, criticizing the United Nations envoy to Libya for his proposal to hold the vote only by year-end.
“Any delay creates more problems,” Mohamed al-Qailoushi, an aide to Saif al-Islam, said by phone on Saturday. “The only solution is elections: if you maintain the current political situation, that is not in the Libyan people’s interests.”
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