UN special adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams attends talks between the rival factions. Reuters
UN special adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams attends talks between the rival factions. Reuters
UN special adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams attends talks between the rival factions. Reuters
UN special adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams attends talks between the rival factions. Reuters

Talks on Libya elections resume in Cairo as UN voices concern over clashes


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  • Arabic

Libyan officials returned to the Egyptian capital on Sunday for a third round of talks on constitutional amendments for elections.

Libya once again finds itself at a political impasse, with two rival administrations claiming legitimacy.

The talks in Cairo follow clashes between rival militias that caused residents of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to panic and revived memories of previous bouts of fighting in the nation.

Politicians from Libya’s parliament in the east and the High Council of State, an advisory body from western Libya, began the UN-brokered negotiations amid concerted international pressure on the two chambers to put their disputes aside and agree on the election’s legal basis.

The UN special adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, said talks in a Cairo hotel would continue until Sunday with the aim of establishing a constitutional framework “required to take the country to national elections as soon as possible”.

“After eleven long years of division, dysfunction, conflict, chaos and polarisation, the Libyan people are exhausted,” she told attendees at the opening session.

UN special adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams launches consultations on the elections, in March. Photo: UNSMIL
UN special adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams launches consultations on the elections, in March. Photo: UNSMIL

“You have a real opportunity, indeed a solemn responsibility, to give them hope, to provide a pathway towards elections within a firm constitutional framework.”

In the previous two rounds of talks, the parties came to an initial consensus on 137 articles of the constitutional draft, including on rights and freedoms. They will continue discussing a handful of disputed articles on legislative and judicial authority, Ms Williams said.

The dispute over the constitutional framework of the election was among major challenges that caused planned national elections to fail in December.

The failure to hold the vote was a major blow to international efforts to end a decade of chaos in Libya. It has opened a new chapter in its long-running political impasse, with rival governments now claiming power after tentative steps towards unity in the past year.

On Friday, clashes broke out in Tripoli between rival militias. Residents took shelter and women and children fled a busy park as artillery shells flew across the night sky. It was not clear what caused the violence. Authorities in Tripoli said an investigation had been opened.

Ms Williams, condemned the fighting. She said in a Twitter post: “Enough is enough!” She called for those responsible to be held accountable.

The US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, said those responsible for the fighting “will pay a price with the Libyan people and the international community”.

The violence was the latest bout of infighting between rogue militias in recent weeks. This has been a particular problem in the western region, which is ruled by militias loosely allied with the Tripoli-based government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

Libya has for years been split between rival administrations in the east and the west, each supported by various well-armed militias and foreign governments. The Mediterranean nation has been in a state of upheaval since a 2011 Nato-backed uprising toppled and later killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

The country’s plan to make the transition to an elected government fell through after the interim administration based in Tripoli, headed by Mr Dbeibah, failed to hold elections last year.

Mr Dbeibah has refused to step down since then, raising questions over his mandate. In response, the country’s eastern politicians have elected a rival prime minister, Fathi Bashagha, a powerful former interior minister who is now operating a separate administration out of the city of Sirte.

In a televised phone call, Mr Dbeibah, urged a powerful commander who leads the 444 brigade — which serves his government — to do what is necessary to restore peace in Tripoli.

His rival, Mr Bashagha called in a series of tweets for armed groups to surrender their weapons. Last month, Mr Bashagha entered Tripoli and attempted to install his government there, but left within hours after fighting broke out that killed one person.

Meanwhile, a widening blockade on oil production, largely in the country’s east, has cut off key state revenue in opposition to Mr Dbeibah remaining in power. On Friday, a video announcement by residents and workers of the Sidra oil port, which is key for exports, warned that they would stop operations because of a lack of basic services in surrounding towns.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
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'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

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Asian Cup 2019

Quarter-final

UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.6-litre V6

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 285bhp

Torque: 353Nm

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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

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Major honours

ARSENAL

  • FA Cup - 2005

BARCELONA

  • La Liga - 2013
  • Copa del Rey - 2012
  • Fifa Club World Cup - 2011

CHELSEA

  • Premier League - 2015, 2017
  • FA Cup - 2018
  • League Cup - 2015

SPAIN

  • World Cup - 2010
  • European Championship - 2008, 2012
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Updated: June 13, 2022, 7:33 AM`