Recent Appearances...

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Recent Appearances...

Africa North

Was a Wagner Base Targeted By a Drone in East Libya?

2023-07-01

[LIBYAREVIEW] Unknown drones targeted a position belonging to the Wagner Group in eastern Libya on Thursday, without causing any human casualties.

The drones attacked the al-Kharouba airbase, which is located 150 kilometers Southeast of Benghazi.

A military source from the Libyan National Army denied the reports, stating that the alleged strikes were an attempt to undermine morale and prepare for targeting oil fields.

The Wagner Group is known to provide security for Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, the son of former Libyan President Muammar Qadaffy
...who single-handedly turned a moderately prosperous kingdom into a dictator's fantasyland and was then murdered by his indignant subjects 42 years later...
, who is running for presidential elections.

The Wagner Group has been present in Libya since April 2019, fighting alongside the Libyan National Army against the Government of National Accord (GNA).

The group has also been present in Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Sudan, supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in their operations against the Sudanese army.

Last week, the Wagner Group launched a rebellion in Russia and took control of the Ministry of Defence headquarters in the city of Rostov. The group has since begun to withdraw from the positions they had taken in Russia, following an agreement with the Kremlin that halted their advance towards Moscow and led to the departure of their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to Belarus.

Despite this, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov stated on Monday that the Wagner Group would continue its operations in Mali and the CAR, and is currently supporting the RSF in Sudan in their operations against the Sudanese army.

The Wagner Group’s presence is concentrated in areas where there are gold and oil reserves, where they provide protection and management for gold mines in Sudan under an agreement with the government of Omar al-Bashir

...Former President-for-Life of Sudan He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and eventually appointed himself head cheese. He fell out with his Islamic mentor, Hasan al-Turabi, tried to impose shariah on the Christian and animist south, resulting in its secessesion, and attempted to Arabize Darfur by unleashing the barbaric Janjaweed on it. Sudan's potential prosperity has been pissed away in warfare that has left as many as 400,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced. Hee was overthrown by popular consent in 2019. Omar has been indicted for genocide by the International Criminal Court but nothing is expected to come of it...
in 2017.

Link

Africa North

Canadian Newspaper: Libyan PM Does Not Have University Degree From Canada

2021-12-23

Whoops!

[LIBYAREVIEW] The Presidential elections due to take place in Libya on 24 December are making waves in Canada. One of the three main candidates, and current Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba is accused of fabricating his master’s degree in civil engineering, which he claims to have obtained in 1992 at the University of Toronto. Three years earlier, he stated the same institution also awarded him an undergraduate degree in engineering.A few days ago, a Libyan activist, Husam El-Gomati, stated on social media that the diplomas were forged. The University of Toronto took several days last week to search its archives for Dbaiba’s degrees.

As Arabic names are often spelled in multiple way, the university attempted to locate records of the PM under at least six transliterations, to no avail. "We searched our records and found no entry matching the information you submitted to us," the university said in an email sent last Friday.

While the issue has caused a stir in Libya, it is unlikely to change the course of this controversial election campaign.

After years of civil war, Libya has experienced relative calm since the October 2020 ceasefire agreement. This fragile peace risks being shattered by political camps that do not recognise their mutual legitimacy.

"There is a risk that a faction will claim to have won while the others will dispute the legitimacy of its victory, which could lead to a kaboom of violence", predicts Claudia Gazzini, specialist on Libya within the International Crisis Group, an organization specialising in the study and prevention of conflicts. "To avoid this scenario, it would be good to postpone the election," she said.

With four days to go to the vote, no signs of election campaigns are visible on the ground, and several observers believe the vote will simply not take place.

"There is no one who wants this election, it will not take place," says Iman Bughaigis, an orthodontist who was involved in the 2011 revolt against Muammar Qadaffy
...a proud Arab institution for 42 years, now among the dear departed, though not the dearest...
in Benghazi.

Dbaiba’s candidacy is contested because he currently serves as Prime Minister, which gives him an unfair advantage, according to his opponents. "He campaigns with money from the national bank, he distributes money to get elected," laments Bughaigis.

A factor further complicating this election is that the allegiances of the three main candidates are determined by the regions where they find their support. Khalifa Haftar

Link

Africa North

Libyan Court Rejects Petition to Bar Haftar's Presidential Bid

2021-11-30

[LIBYAREVIEW] On Sunday, the First Instance Appeals Committee of the Benghazi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal submitted by Presidential candidate, Abdel-Majid Saif al-Nasr against Khalifa Haftar

...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy, so it's kind of hard to describe him as a Qadaffy holdover. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all. Actually, he is, but slowly...
.Disputes over the election rules, including the validity of a law issued by the Libyan Parliament in September, and over the eligibility of some candidates, threaten to derail the vote.

Last week, the outgoing Head of the United Nations
...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks...
Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis warned that not holding the elections as planned could "greatly deteriorate" the situation and lead to further division and conflict.

A UN political forum demanded Parliamentary and Presidential elections be held on 24 December, as part of a roadmap to end Libya’s civil war. A first-round Presidential vote is set for the date, however, the Parliamentary elections have been delayed until January or February.

"The Judiciary has the final word regarding the objections raised about the process, as well as on some Presidential candidates. Their verdict must be respected," Kubis said.

On Tuesday, the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) said that 98 candidates, including two women, had registered to run in the Presidential elections. It also subsequently announced that 25 of these candidates have been disqualified. This includes Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, the son of former leader, Muammer Qadaffy. He has since launched an appeal against the ruling.

The disqualification was decided based on recommendations of the Attorney General, the Criminal Investigation Department, and the Citizenship and Passport Department, the commission said.

Notably, the Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
Court of Appeals accepted petitions filed by a number of candidates against Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba’s bid to run in the December elections. According to media reports, the court is set to examine their request during the coming days, before issuing a ruling.

The polls come as part of a push to end a decade of violence in oil-rich Libya, following a NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It's headquartered in Belgium. That sez it all....
-backed uprising that toppled and killed Muammer Qadaffy in 2011.

Link

Africa North

Libya: More Attacks Expected Before Elections

2021-11-27

[LIBYAREVIEW] Libyan Interior Minister, Khaled Mazen said that all matters related to securing the elections are going according to plan. He noted that some attacks may occur on electoral headquarters, in conjunction with the progress being made in the elections.In a presser, Mazen added that what happened at the Sebha courthouse was a "crime punishable by law." He vowed to hold all those involved in the attack accountable. The Justice Ministry said in a statement that an gang had forced everyone to leave the court building.

"Violations exist in all countries, including the United States. I urge everyone not to tamper with the polling stations," he stressed

On Thursday, the Council of Ministers of the Government of National Unity (GNU) called on the Ministries of Justice and Interior to immediately investigate the circumstances of the attack, and prepare a detailed report on the incident.

Notably, the lawyer for Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, who is the son of Libya’s late leader, Muammer Qadaffy said that gunnies had prevented him from lodging an appeal against his client’s disqualification from next month’s Presidential elections.

Disputes over issues including the eligibility of candidates are threatening to derail the elections, which are set for 24 December, and with it a UN-backed grinding of the peace processor aimed at ending a decade of chaos since Muammar Qadaffy

...The late megalomaniac dictator of Libya, admired everywhere for his garish costumes, funny hats, harem of cutie bodyguards, and incoherent ravings. As far as is known, he is the only person who's ever declared jihad on Switzerland...
was toppled.

Interference by fighters from any side will further undermine confidence in the elections, which many Libyans are hoping with end a decade of conflicts. It has also triggered fears of a new war, if either side rejects the results of the vote.

Late on Wednesday, the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) disqualified Saif al-Islam and 24 other candidates, subject to appeals.

"Libya’s judiciary will have the final say on the list of candidates," the Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis said on Wednesday.

The Supreme Judicial Council also reversed a ruling it had made only days ago, in that appeals over the eligibility of candidates could only be lodged in the district where the candidate has registered.

Link

Africa North

Libyan Authorities To Investigate Sebha Court Attack

2021-11-27

[LIBYAREVIEW] On Thursday, the Libyan Minister of Interior, Khaled Mazen vowed to prosecute the gunnies who had raided the courthouse in the southern city of Sebha, describing the events as a "crime punishable by law." The Justice Ministry said in a statement that the gang had forced everyone to leave the court building.

In a presser, Mazen said that "violations exist in all countries, including the United States. I urge everyone not to tamper with the polling stations."

Earlier today, the Council of Ministers of the Government of National Unity (GNU) called on the Ministries of Justice and Interior to immediately investigate the circumstances of the attack, and prepare a detailed report on the incident.

On Thursday, the lawyer for Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, who is the son of Libya’s late leader, Muammer Qadaffy said that gunnies had prevented him from lodging an appeal against his client’s disqualification from next month’s Presidential elections.

Disputes over issues including the eligibility of candidates are threatening to derail the elections, which are set for 24 December, and with it a UN-backed grinding of the peace processor aimed at ending a decade of chaos since Muammar Qadaffy

...a proud Arab institution for 42 years, now among the dear departed, though not the dearest...
was toppled.

Interference by fighters from any side will further undermine confidence in the elections, which many Libyans are hoping with end a decade of conflicts. It has also triggered fears of a new war, if either side rejects the results of the vote.

Late on Wednesday, the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) disqualified Saif al-Islam and 24 other candidates, subject to appeals.

"Libya’s judiciary will have the final say on the list of candidates," the Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Jan Kubis said on Wednesday.

The Supreme Judicial Council also reversed a ruling it had made only days ago, in that appeals over the eligibility of candidates could only be lodged in the district where the candidate has registered.

Link

Africa North

Will Saif Al-Islam Run For President?

2021-06-29

[LIBYAREVIEW] Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, son of the late Libyan leader Muammer Qadaffy, has not been seen in public since he was released from house arrest in 2017. But now he is allegedly considering a race for the presidency, in the war-torn North African country, where the United Nations
...an organization which on balance has done more bad than good, with the good not done well and the bad done thoroughly...
and several countries are pressing for elections in December, according to a report published by the voanews.com

The prospect of Saif coming to the polls is troubling Western diplomats and international democracy advisers, who say Libya’s turbulent grinding of the peace processor is big enough to get away without the involvement of Qadaffy’s son, a highly polarizing figure.

"What I’ve heard is that it’s more vindictive than reconciliation," says Mary Fitzgerald, a researcher and associate fellow at King’s College London’s International Center for the Study of Radicalization. Fitzgerald, a former Irish Times newspaper news hound covered the 2011 Libyan civil war that ended the rule of Muammer Qadaffy.

Saif, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on war-crime charges, is allegedly negotiating through intermediaries with the Western media. The middlemen say a major US newspaper has conducted a formal interview with them, which is to be published next month.

"It is still unclear whether he is actually putting himself out there as a candidate. I will believe it only when I actually hear him or see him make the pitch in the video," Claudia Gazzini of the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank, told VOA.

Hafed al-Ghawel, a Libyan-American and senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute of the Paul H. Neitz School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, says he doesn’t think Saif has made up his mind. "But if he does, I think he’ll have significant support," he said.

Observers say Saif’s candidacy will prove popular in the country’s south, and among Qadaffy’s former loyalists — and he may be able to persuade many ordinary Libyans, tired of a decade of conflict, that he is the best bet for a stable future, observers say.

Link

Africa North

It’s time for Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to take charge in Libya: official

2020-06-12

[ALMASDARNEWS] The political official in the "Libyan Struggle Front", Ahmed Qaddaf al-Dam, said on Wednesday that Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Qadaffy

...The late megalomaniac dictator of Libya, admired everywhere for his garish costumes, funny hats, harem of cutie bodyguards, and incoherent ravings. As far as is known, he is the only person who's ever declared jihad on Switzerland...
, is popular in Libya, and he should not stand idly by about what is happening in Libya today.

He said, in an intervention on al-Mayadeen channel, that the Libyan al-Wefaq government was not legitimate and expired and had not been authorized by Parliament.

"If the world came together to impose on us a government we would not accept it, we accept the will of the Libyans, and we decide the fate of Libya."

He believes that "the Brotherhood has no place in Libya, and that their number does not exceed 650 individuals," pointing out that "groups of mercenaries who were in Afghanistan did not reach a thousand or two thousand, and a maximum of 5,000 forces of Evil of Libyan origin to the maximum extent."

He stated that, "It is the duty of Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, like any Libyan citizen, not to remain ashamed of the current situation, pointing out that "no one can deny that Saif has a floor in Libya and a legacy, especially among the youth."

On the authority of the Libyan Parliament Speaker, Aqeela Saleh, Qaddaf al-Dam clarified that "he remains only legitimate in Libya now and the straw that we all adhere to."

He added, "I do not disagree with Saleh, but the matter is in the hands of the Libyans and not in the hands of the outside, and we do not accept that Libya is managed from abroad under any circumbstances, after the bitter experience of our country and they are able to form a Libyan government to be approved by Parliament."

Link

Africa North

Libya's Interior Minister: Russians arrested in Tripoli linked to Wagner Group

2019-11-21

[Libya Observer] The Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha has unveiled links between two Russians arrested for spying in Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
earlier this year and Wagner Group whose mercenaries are fighting for Khalifa Haftar

...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy, so it's kind of hard to describe him as a Qadaffy holdover. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all...
's forces in southern Tripoli.

Bashagha told The Washington Post on Tuesday that the Russian nationals were arrested in last July on suspicion of attempting to influence planned municipal elections and gather information on the military operations against Khalifa Haftar's forces, which are based in eastern Libya and backed by Russia, confirming that the Russians had confessed to the accusations.

The Washington Post reported a Western official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss diplomatic issues, as saying that the Russian government was putting a lot of pressure on the Presidential Council's government leadership to free the two men, who the officials said were part of a broader effort by Moscow to assert influence in Libya.

Russian Foreign Ministry admitted that the two nationals were arrested in Tripoli and said they were trying to prepare for a meeting with Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Bloomberg said previously that the detained Russians had met twice in the months before their arrest with Saif Qadaffy with support from Russian officials, saying Saif is believed to be seeking a political comeback.

The Russians were arrested with some laptops and USBs that prove they were working for a company that works to influence elections in African countries, including Libya. A third Russian national managed to leave Libya before the Libyan security forces had stormed his house, Bloomberg said.

Bashagha accused Russia earlier of trying to help Qadaffy loyalists to return to the scene in Libya.

Link

Africa North

ICC Prosecutor renews call for surrendering Saif Gaddafi and Mahmoud Al-Werfalli

2019-11-07

[Libya Observer] The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda has renewed her call on Libyan authorities to surrender to her office Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, son of late dictator Muammar Qadaffy
...a proud Arab institution for 42 years, now among the dear departed, though not the dearest...
, runaway criminal who operates under Khalifa Haftar

Link

Africa North

Gaddafi-loyal commander killed by pro-Haftar forces

2019-08-23

[Libya Observer] Military sources have disclosed that pro-Khalifa Haftar gang killed Khalid al-Wershiffani and three of his ~~lovers~~ companions - including Kamal Lembarki - in Souq al-Sabit area that is under the control of al-Kani militia which is loyal to Haftar.

The gang killed al-Wershiffani by five gunshots and the bodies of him and his ~~lover~~ companions are at the Bani Walid hospital's morgue.

According to the source, al-Habotat gang from Wershiffana and is loyal to al-Kani militia carried out the murder.

Al-Wershiffani is one of the founders of the Tribes Army that is loyal to Muammar Qadaffy's

...who single-handedly turned a moderately prosperous kingdom into a dictator's fantasyland and was then murdered by his indignant subjects 42 years later...
regime and has taken part in many conflicts with special notoriety of kidnap, banditry and other crimes on the road linking Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
to mountain cities between 2014 and 2017.

Since the start of Haftar's offensive on Tripoli, al-Wershiffani and his ~~lover~~ companions joined the attacking forces before being murdered in what seems to be an internal conflict among the forces under Haftar's command, especially that the ones killed were loyal to Qadaffy's regime.

Last May, al-Kani militia carried out a similar murder against former regime loyalists such as Brigadier General Masoud al-Dawi and in last June Mohammed Eshtiwi - prominent leader at Tribes Army.

Haftar has also tried to assassinate Saif al-Islam Qadaffy by bribing the brigade that was guarding him in Zintan, where he was detained since 2011.

Link

Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Lebanon issues arrest warrant for Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi

2019-07-25

[ALMASDARNEWS] Leb has issued an arrest warrant for

Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, the son of the late Libyan President Muammar al-Qadaffy, for the disappearance of Imam Moussa al-Sadr during his trip to Libya in 1978.

According to the National News Agency of Leb, Judge Zaher Hamadeh issued the arrest warrant for Qadaffy and nine other Libyan nationals over the disappearance of the Lebanese religious leader and his two associates, Sheikh Mohammad Yaqoub and Abbas Badreddine.

The National News Agency noted that the Libyan Foreign Ministry in the National Reconciliation Government had repeatedly refused to properly inform the said defendants, who had been informed as well as the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The brother of Saif al-Islam, Hannibal, is also in the custody of the Lebanese authorities and has remained so since his kidnapping from Syria.

The Lebanese authorities have accused the government of the late Colonel Muammar Qadaffy
...The late megalomaniac dictator of Libya, admired everywhere for his garish costumes, funny hats, harem of cutie bodyguards, and incoherent ravings. As far as is known, he is the only person who's ever declared jihad on Switzerland...
of abducting and murdering Imam Moussa al-Sadr and his two companions.

Link

Africa North

ICC Prosecutor: Individuals responsible for war crimes in Libya will be brought to justice

2019-05-11

[Libya Observer] The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has urged in her briefing at the Security Council all member states of the United Nations
...aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society...
to ensure a consistent and unambiguous message is conveyed to all warring factions in Libya that the rules of international humanitarian law must be fully respected, and that perpetrators of atrocity crimes will be held individually criminally responsible.

Bensouda also reminded the council that outstanding warrants issued for the arrest of Saif al-Islam Qadaffy, Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli, and al-Tuhamy Mohammed Khaled, are executed, with them transferring to the ICC for trial, was "the first and indispensible step".

Bensouda explained that if the three wanted criminals were surrendered to the ICC, it would send a strong and necessary message to the victims of grave crimes in Libya, that the Security Council and the international community on the lam are serious about pursing justice and committed to taking concrete action towards that end.

She indicated that Mahmoud al-Werfalli is still in Libya and is freely moving without any concrete evidence that he was prosecuted by the "Libyan National Army" under Khalifa Haftar

Link

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