Latest news with #Libyans'
Libyan Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Al-Menfi commends peaceful Tripoli demonstrations
BY Libyan Express May 24, 2025 - 03:45 Al-Menfi endorses citizens' right to peaceful demonstration The Chairman of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, has praised recent peaceful demonstrations in Tripoli, describing them as evidence of a 'civilised national scene' that demonstrates Libyans' commitment to democratic expression. In a statement, al-Menfi said he was proud of the manner in which citizens in the capital exercised their right to peaceful assembly, noting the responsible way demonstrators expressed their aspirations. He characterised the protests as marking a return to peaceful political expression following years of national instability. The Presidential Council Chairman also praised Libya's security institutions for their role in safeguarding citizens' right to peaceful protest. He stated that the council has consistently focused on hearing public opinion through various means in order to achieve positive change. Al-Menfi extended his appeal beyond Tripoli, encouraging Libyans in cities across the country to continue peaceful and respectful demonstrations. He described such civic engagement as vital to building a modern state that reflects the hopes of all citizens. The statement comes as Libya continues efforts towards political stabilisation and national unity after years of conflict and division. The Presidential Council's support for peaceful protest appears to reflect attempts to establish democratic norms within the country's institutions. The remarks suggest the government views the demonstrations as a constructive element in Libya's democratic transition rather than as opposition to state authority. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libya Review
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
PM Hammad Calls for New Libyan Government
Libya's parliament-designate Prime Minister Osama Hammad has called for a 'brave and responsible' national dialogue to form a unified government that would pave the way for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. In a televised address, Hammad urged Libyans to end the country's long-standing political division. Hammad also called on the UN Security Council and international community to assume their responsibilities towards Libya. However, he warned that if they fail to act, they should 'leave the decision to Libyans' without external interference or guardianship. The speech came amid public outrage over the recent violent suppression of protests in Tripoli. Hammad condemned the use of 'excessive force' against demonstrators, describing the crackdown as 'a collective cry' from citizens rejecting corruption and political neglect. He labelled the shooting of unarmed civilians as a criminal act. Hammad criticised the Presidential Council's failure to protect civilians and manage the crisis, while accusing the international community of maintaining a 'deafening silence' that only deepens Libyans' isolation and erodes trust in international justice. He also attacked his rival in Tripoli, Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, calling his recent statements 'devoid of responsibility and humanity.' Hammad accused Dbaiba of failing to acknowledge the deaths of peaceful protesters and instead blaming others, while continuing to rely on militias that he once portrayed as official state security forces. Dbaiba responded on Saturday, calling the Abu Salim violence a 'shared mistake' and expressing regret over recent clashes in Tripoli. The fighting followed his order to dismantle the Stability Support Apparatus, leading to fierce battles between powerful armed groups and the death of their leader, Abdelghani al-Kikli. Several ministers in Dbaiba's government resigned on Friday in solidarity with protesters and in protest at government performance. Tags: Abdel-Hamid DbaibaElectionslibyaLibyan PMOsama Hammad
TimesLIVE
18-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Joburg's MBB display great fight in BAL debut against Al Ahli
Johannesburg's Made by Ball (MBB) showed they are not in Rwanda for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) to make up the numbers, displaying plenty of courage in a narrow opening defeat on Saturday. Though their hopes of a fairytale debut of the tournament were eroded by Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli in an 87-77 loss at the BK Arena in Kigali, the Gauteng side put up a great fight, especially in the final 10 minutes of the game. It was an enormous occasion for the MBB players, one they said they were excited about in the build-up to the start of the Nile Conference, but in the first 30 minutes, they appeared overwhelmed. They couldn't match the pace of Tripoli. They would close gaps in the score, but the Libyans would just shift the gears and extend again. Tripoli's biggest lead of the afternoon was 19 points in the third quarter. In a bid to be more competitive, MBB introduced their bench, but it lacked major contributions, assembling only 10 points in the game. Your first @castlelitesa Game Recap of the Nile Conference! AlAhli takes the W ✅ #BAL5 — Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) May 17, 2025 By contrast, the Libyans' substitutes scored 32 points. Their top scorer, Senegalese Jean Jacques Boissy, came from the dugout and added 28 points, seven rebounds, and one assist. These are areas the players and coaching staff said they would need to rectify before their game against APR of Rwanda on Sunday. Despite a scare in the opening minutes of the game when Deon Thompson knocked two three-pointers from deep for Tripoli, MBB went toe-to-toe with Tripoli, who are deemed favourites to top the conference. The north Africans were expected to run away with the game from the get-go. But US Import, who played in the NBA G-League, Roovan Mooring, calmed the nerves of the South Africans when he made the first two-pointer and MBB's first points in the BAL. MBB head coach Sam Vincent cracked a smile, and there were roars from the bench and high-fives as MBB signalled their arrival at Africa's biggest tournament The first quarter ended 15-10 with the Libyans leading, and from then on, Tripoli stepped their foot on the accelerator in the second quarter with Boissy the aggressor. They went to the halftime break with a 12-point advantage, leading 45-33. In the third quarter, Tripoli seemed to have everything going their way offensively, but MBB kept up the fight, and the third quarter finished 64-50. In the final quarter, MBB turned on the charm with Mooring, Teafale Lenard Jnr and Robinson Opong Odoch leading from the front to close the gap to five points in the last four minutes. But Tripoli fought their way out of what would have been a great moment for SA basketball. Mooring finished with 26 points, Lenard Jnr with 20 and Odoch made 15. MBB next play home team Armée Patriotique Rwandaise on Sunday (5.30pm). • Anathi Wulushe is in Rwanda courtesy of the BAL.
Libyan Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Tunisia offers to host UN-backed Libyan dialogue
BY Libyan Express May 17, 2025 - 12:53 Updated: May 17, 2025 - 12:54 Tunisia extends diplomatic hand as neighbouring Libya seeks path to stability amid renewed tensions in Tripoli Tunisia has proposed hosting peace talks between Libyan factions under United Nations supervision, following new outbreaks of violence in Libya's capital. In a statement released Friday evening, Tunisia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about deteriorating security conditions in Tripoli and called for an immediate end to hostilities throughout Libya. 'Tunisia is prepared to serve as a meeting ground for Libyans to engage in dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya,' the ministry stated. The government emphasised that any political solution should 'preserve Libya's unity and respond to the aspirations of the Libyan people for security and stability.' The Tunisian government cited the 'common destiny' shared by the neighbouring countries as motivation for its diplomatic initiative. It called on Libyan parties to reject violence and prioritise national interests through consensus. Tunisia's proposal envisions a 'comprehensive path under the umbrella of the United Nations' that would aim to end the conflict, facilitate elections, and establish unified state institutions representing all Libyan citizens. The statement reiterated Tunisia's position that any sustainable solution must come from 'Libyans' own will and without any external interference.' The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
UN raises alarm over wave of 'arbitrary' arrests in Libya
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya expressed concern over what it said were arbitrary arrests, including of lawyers and members of the judiciary, calling for their immediate release. "UNSMIL is alarmed by the wave of arbitrary arrest and detentions across Libya by law enforcement and security actors," it said in a statement late Saturday. "These actors are using their powers of arrest and detention to target individuals for their alleged political affiliations, to silence perceived dissent and to undermine judicial independence." Libya has struggled to recover from the chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. It remains split between a UN-recognised government in Tripoli and a rival authority in the east backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar. UNSMIL also expressed concern about the use of filmed confessions, "where individuals are detained and coerced into 'confessing' to alleged crimes with videos published online." It said the practice was used to "intimidate and humiliate" the individuals, and must be deemed inadmissible. Among those arrested was Judge Ali al-Sharif, who was subjected to violence during his arrest in Tripoli on March 10, as well as lawyer Mounir al-Orfi, detained in Benghazi since March 12, said the UN. Two military prosecutors, Mansour Daoub and Mohammed al-Mabrouk al-Kar, have also been held in Tripoli since 2022, UNSMIL said. The situation "undermines the environment necessary for Libya's democratic transition, and weakens Libyans' trust in law enforcement and security entities that must work to protect and promote the rights of all people in Libya, not undermine them," UNSMIL said.
