Latest news with #Libya
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lawyers ask for year-long delay to Lockerbie bombing trial
The trial of a Libyan man accused of making the bomb that destroyed an American airliner over Lockerbie could be delayed until spring next year. The case against Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, known as Masud, was due to begin in Washington this month, but was delayed due to his poor health and to give the defence more time to prepare. In a joint submission lodged with the court, lawyers for the prosecution and defence are now "expecting to request" a trial date of late April 2026. The proposed delay would have to be approved by a judge. Masud has denied priming the explosive device which brought down Pan Am flight 103 on 21 December 1988, killing 270 people. The explosion killed 259 passengers and crew and a further 11 people in the Dumfries and Galloway town when wreckage of the Boeing 747 fell on their homes. It remains the deadliest terror attack in the history of the United Kingdom. New documents blame Libya for Lockerbie bombing US judge agrees to delay Lockerbie bombing trial Masud, who is in his early 70s, is described as a joint citizen of Libya and Tunisia. He has been receiving treatment for a non-life threatening medical condition. In a joint status report to the US district court for the District of Columbia, both parties referred to the "complex, international nature" of evidence in the case, adding that a pre-trial schedule would be "atypical". Lawyers also requested an early deadline for motions to "suppress the defendant's statement," presumed to be an alleged confession Masud made while in jail in Libya in 2012. The claim, which is said to be of "importance to the [US] government's case," alleges that Masud admitted working for the Libyan intelligence service and confessed to building the device which brought down the aircraft. It is also alleged he named two accomplices, Abdelbasset Al Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah. Megrahi was convicted of murdering the 270 victims and died in Tripoli in 2012 after being freed on compassionate grounds by the Scottish government. Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah, his co-accused in the trial at the Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands, was found not guilty. Scottish and US prosecutors first named Masud as a suspect in the case in 2015 following the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in Libya. He was charged five years later by then-US attorney general William Barr with the destruction of an aircraft resulting in death. Masud was taken into US custody in 2022 after being removed from his home by an armed militia. The latest hearing in the case is due to take place in Washington on Thursday. Lockerbie bombing: The ultimate detective story? FBI search for 'all Lockerbie victims' ahead of suspect's US trial
BBC News
2 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Lawyers ask for year-long delay to Lockerbie bombing trial
The trial of a Libyan man accused of making the bomb that destroyed an American airliner over Lockerbie could be delayed until spring next case against Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, known as Masud, was due to begin in Washington this month, but was delayed due to his poor health and to give the defence more time to a joint submission lodged with the court, lawyers for the prosecution and defence are now "expecting to request" a trial date of late April 2026. The proposed delay would have to be approved by a has denied priming the explosive device which brought down Pan Am flight 103 on 21 December 1988, killing 270 people. The explosion killed 259 passengers and crew and a further 11 people in the Dumfries and Galloway town when wreckage of the Boeing 747 fell on their remains the deadliest terror attack in the history of the United Kingdom. Masud, who is in his early 70s, is described as a joint citizen of Libya and has been receiving treatment for a non-life threatening medical a joint status report to the US district court for the District of Columbia, both parties referred to the "complex, international nature" of evidence in the case, adding that a pre-trial schedule would be "atypical".Lawyers also requested an early deadline for motions to "suppress the defendant's statement," presumed to be an alleged confession Masud made while in jail in Libya in claim, which is said to be of "importance to the [US] government's case," alleges that Masud admitted working for the Libyan intelligence service and confessed to building the device which brought down the aircraft. It is also alleged he named two accomplices, Abdelbasset Al Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifah was convicted of murdering the 270 victims and died in Tripoli in 2012 after being freed on compassionate grounds by the Scottish Amin Khalifah Fhimah, his co-accused in the trial at the Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands, was found not guilty. Scottish and US prosecutors first named Masud as a suspect in the case in 2015 following the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in was charged five years later by then-US attorney general William Barr with the destruction of an aircraft resulting in was taken into US custody in 2022 after being removed from his home by an armed latest hearing in the case is due to take place in Washington on Thursday.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 hours ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Libya Protesters Call on PM to Quit in Third Weekly March
Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Tripoli on Friday for the third week in a row to demand the resignation of UN-recognized Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah following recent clashes in Libya's capital. At least 200 people had assembled by late afternoon, with several hundred more following suit later. Some blasted slogans on loudspeakers from their cars. Libya is split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east controlled by the family of military strongman Khalifa Haftar. The North African country has remained deeply divided since the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled and killed longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi. National elections scheduled for December 2021 were postponed indefinitely due to disputes between the two rival powers, AFP reported. The recent unrest came after deadly clashes between armed groups controlling different areas of Tripoli killed at least eight people, according to the UN. The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government -- the 444 Brigade which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. The fighting broke out also after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade. The government and UN support mission in Libya have been pressing efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire since. Last Saturday, a separate protest in Tripoli drew hundreds in support of Dbeibah. Demonstrators condemned the armed groups and called for the reinstatement of Libya's 1951 constitution, which was abolished by Kadhafi after his 1969 coup.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Libya protesters call on PM to quit in third weekly march
TRIPOLI: Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Tripoli on Friday for the third week in a row to demand the resignation of UN-recognized Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah following recent clashes in Libya's capital. Demonstrators chanted 'Dbeibah out,' 'the people want the fall of the government,' and 'long live Libya.' At least 200 people had assembled by late afternoon, with several hundred more following suit later. Some blasted slogans on loudspeakers from their cars. Libya is split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east controlled by the family of military strongman Khalifa Haftar. The North African country has remained deeply divided since the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi. National elections scheduled for December 2021 were postponed indefinitely due to disputes between the two rival powers. The recent unrest came after deadly clashes between armed groups controlling different areas of Tripoli killed at least eight people, according to the UN. The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government — the 444 Brigade which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. The fighting broke out also after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade. The government and UN support mission in Libya have been pressing efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire since. Last Saturday, a separate protest in Tripoli drew hundreds in support of Dbeibah. Demonstrators condemned the armed groups and called for the reinstatement of Libya's 1951 constitution, which was abolished by Qaddafi after his 1969 coup.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Libya becomes a full participating state and shareholder of Afreximbank
The State of Libya has taken a critical step towards its full membership of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) ( with the acquisition of shares in the African multilateral Bank, making the country both a participating state and a shareholder of the Bank. The country submitted its payment for the acquisition of the Bank's shares on 13 May 2025. Libya acceded to Afreximbank's Establishment Agreement in October 2024, becoming the 52nd African nation to do so, and marking an important step towards full continental coverage and advancement of the Bank's continental integration agenda; through trade and investments. The acquisition of Afreximbank's shares by Libya further strengthens ties with the oil rich nation and enhances critical support to the Libyan economy. Target areas of intervention by Afreximbank include infrastructure and oil and gas, and export of manufactured goods to the rest of Africa, while also supporting regional integration projects targeting other countries in North Africa. 'Libya's shareholding in Afreximbank puts the Bank in a strong position to support the government's reconstruction efforts while also helping to deepen its regional connectivity through investments in critical projects such as the oil pipeline and road projects between Egypt and Libya, and the electricity transmission and linkage project covering Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria. It reaffirms the confidence of African governments in their Pan-African Multilateral Financial Institution,' said Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, of Afreximbank. Prof. Oramah commended Libya for its investment in the Bank which demonstrates increased confidence in the organisation's activities, primarily its mandate of transforming African Trade. He noted that the shareholding in the Bank will help to expand its services, reach and influence in the region, besides enhancing its capital base. In acceding to the Establishment Agreement, His Excellency Dr. Khaled Al-Mabrouk Abdullah, Minister of Finance for the State of Libya, highlighted the importance of the partnership in supporting reconstruction and economic diversification efforts in his country and said that the nation's accession was a milestone in its journey towards rebuilding its economy and re-establishing its role as a regional trading hub. He said: 'Libya is grateful to His Excellency, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, of Afreximbank, for his persistent efforts in facilitating Libya's full participation in the Bank's foundational agreement. The acquisition of shares in Afreximbank solidifies Libya's position as a full member state and shareholder in this esteemed multilateral African institution. This represents a historic achievement, following our accession to the Bank's Establishment Agreement in October 2024. 'We regard this development as a critical step forward in Libya's journey towards greater economic integration within the African continent. Our accession as the 52nd African nation to Afreximbank underscores our commitment to fostering robust trade and investment relationships across Africa.' Dr. Abdullah noted that the partnership between Libya and Afreximbank would help unlock new avenues for economic growth, diversification, and development in his country. 'We eagerly anticipate leveraging the Bank's expertise and resources to support our national economic agenda and to contribute effectively to the advancement of intra-African trade and continental integration. We commend Afreximbank for its unwavering commitment to African economic advancement and look forward to a fruitful and mutually beneficial collaboration,' he added. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank. About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank's total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
