International Booker Prize-winning Georgi Gospodinov was in town for the Sharjah International Book Fair
lifestyle3 hours ago
World powers on Friday told Libya to stick to a plan for holding presidential elections on December 24, adding that foreign mercenaries should also leave and allow the country to turn a page in its history.
Libyan leaders, including Prime Minister Abdulhamid Al Dbeibah and head of Libya’s presidency council, Mohamed Al Menfi said they would hand over power if the electoral process takes place in “a consensual and fair manner”.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted leaders and diplomats in Paris for an international conference, declaring that Libya was now as a “crossroads” that would determine its future.
The North African country has been mired in civil war since the overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 uprising, with the bloodshed drawing in competing Libyan factions as well as regional powers.
The presidential vote on December 24 is the core part of a United Nations plan to help restore stability, but the calendar has been under pressure as tensions flare once more between rival camps.
“We urge all Libyan stakeholders and candidates to respect their commitments towards holding elections on December 24 (and) to accept the results of free, fair and inclusive elections,” the powers said in a statement after the talks.
The scheduling has remained unclear, after Libya’s parliament in early October pushed back legislative elections until January.
“Libya is once again at a crossroads. There have been 10 years of disorder and upheaval in which the international community is not without responsibility,” said Macron.
“The next six weeks will be decisive,” he added.
The world powers also warned that sanctions could be imposed against anyone deemed to be impeding the process.
“We affirm that individuals or entities, inside or outside of Libya, who might attempt to obstruct, undermine, manipulate or falsify the electoral process and the political transition will be held accountable and may be designated” by UN sanctions, their statement said.
Key players attending the meeting included US Vice-President Kamala Harris and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, one of Paris’s closest allies in the Middle East.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi were also present. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Russian President Vladimir Putin were conspicuous by their absence.
Libya was represented by Mohamed Al Menfi and Abdelhamid Dbeibah who said: “Concrete guarantees must be obtained that the election results will be accepted and that those who reject them will be sanctioned.”
Earlier this week, Libya opened registration for election candidates, with speculation mounting over possible presidential bids by eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar or even Kadhafi’s son Seif Al Islam, both deeply divisive figures.
The conference to endorse a plan for the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, with the statement giving “full support for the comprehensive Action Plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from the Libyan territory”.
Turkey had sent in troops as well as pro-Ankara militia units from Syria to shore up the Tripoli government.
Observers also accuse Moscow of deploying mercenaries belonging to the Wagner group, which is allegedly controlled by a close ally of Putin.
Pro-Haftar forces said in a statement ahead of the conference that 300 foreign mercenaries fighting on their side would leave the country, “at the request of France”.
The nationality of the fighters was not specified and no timeline was given. The UN estimates that 20,000 mercenaries and foreign fighters are deployed in Libya.
“The mercenary withdrawal plan must be implemented. Russia and Turkey must withdraw their mercenaries without delay,” Macron said, welcoming the announcement that 300 mercenaries would leave as a “first step”.
“This is only the beginning, but it is an essential beginning which finally gives credibility to a process that we have been talking about for too long,” said Macron.
France has faced accusations of backing the pro-Moscow and staunchly secular Haftar but has always insisted it has been fully objective in the conflict.
Merkel commented that the Turkey had “reservations” about the process of withdrawing mercenaries.
But she added: “It’s a good thing that we can see a first withdrawal, it will serve as an example. Things have started.”
International Booker Prize-winning Georgi Gospodinov was in town for the Sharjah International Book Fair
lifestyle3 hours ago
When in doubt about where to begin, consider ADEPT
lifestyle3 hours ago
As the Dubai Run draws thousands to the city’s streets, running becomes a symbol of freedom and mental clarity for these women and countless others, helping them find peace amidst the daily grind
long reads3 hours ago
The Indian star was in Sharjah to talk about her new book, 'Zeba: An Accidental Superhero'
entertainment3 hours ago
Skinification is where it's all at - this is what you need to know about giving your scalp (and tresses) some much-needed TLC
lifestyle3 hours ago
Dariush Soudi and Angela Soudi believe in youth empowerment
lifestyle4 hours ago
Professional organiser Shelina Jokhiya on keeping score of cash, living her dreams - and splurging a bit
women and money4 hours ago
The Lahore Biennale wasn’t just a chance to look at stunning, groundbreaking contemporary art but a powerful call to action for local and international communities to join forces to put these issues at the forefront
travel4 hours ago