TUNIS // The head of a Tunisia-based militant group linked to Al Qaeda was arrested on Monday in the Libyan city of Misurata along with several "people accompanying him," according to TAP, the state-run news agency.
Seifallah bin Hussein Mokni, also known as Abu Ayyad, the leader of Ansar Al Sharia, was arrested by United States special forces aided by Libyan troops, according to the agency, citing unidentified security officials.
The US has denied taking part in the operation, with a spokesperson, Colonel Steve Warren, saying that no US military forces have been involved in any operations in Libya.
Mr Mokni had been wanted by Tunisian authorities for attacks on the US Embassy in Tunisia in September 2012 — violence that was triggered after the release of a film made in the US that was widely seen in the Muslim world as insulting the Prophet Mohammad. Libyan state-run Al Nabaa television, citing unidentified security officials, denied the militant had been arrested or that there were US forces operating in Libya.
US forces captured Abu Anas Al Libi, another Al Qaeda suspect in the Libyan capital Tripoli in October.
Ansar Al Sharia has also been blamed by Tunisian authorities for the assassination of two opposition politicians whose killings compounded the unrest in the North African nation.
On Sunday, Tunisian police arrested seven alleged militants in Tunisia's western town of Kasserine, local radio reported, as authorities feared radicals may be planning attacks during New Year celebrations.
The seven arrested on Sunday were distributing leaflets banning New Year celebrations and threatened bakeries selling cakes for the occasion, according to two local radio reports.
*Bloomberg and Reuters
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
If you go...
Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.
Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices