Concern remains over new outbreaks of violence in Libya, a UN official said on Tuesday as the country's move towards an election faces delays.
Rosemary DiCarlo, undersecretary general for political and peacekeeping affairs, warned the UN Security Council of the potential for "retaliatory attacks by both sides" and possible arrests, which could again stir tensions.
"I am deeply concerned that the ongoing stalemate and continued delays in implementing the electoral process pose a growing threat to security in and around Tripoli, and potentially to all Libyans," she said.
Heavy gunfire and shelling broke out last week in several Tripoli neighbourhoods, leaving 32 people dead.
Rival prime ministers Abdulhamid Dbeibah and Fathi Bashagha each blamed the clashes on the other.
"This appeared to be another attempt of pro-Bashagha forces to enter the capital from the east," Ms DiCarlo said. She said those efforts were blocked by pro-Dbeibah forces.
Since then, the situation has "remained tense and fluid", she said.
"A fragile calm has since prevailed in Tripoli," she said. "It is unclear how long it will last."
Ms DiCarlo told the council that Libya has faced chaos since a Nato-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
Armed clashes erupt in Tripoli - in pictures
The oil-rich county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The present stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December and Mr Dbeibah’s refusal to step down.
In response, the country’s east-based parliament appointed a rival prime minister, Mr Bashagha, who has for months sought to install his government in Tripoli.
Ms DiCarlo said the fighting that broke out in the early hours of August 27 appeared to be another attempt of pro-Bashagha forces to enter the capital.
“However, they were blocked by pro-Dbeibah forces at Zleiten, about 160 kilometres east of Tripoli, and were forced to retreat, following clashes,” she said.
“Attempts by other pro-Bashagha armed groups to advance on the capital from the west and south-west were similarly repelled.”
Security Council agrees on appointment
Several members of the Security Council have called for the quick nomination of a new head of the UN's mission in Libya, after previous emissary Jan Kubis left the position abruptly in November.
According to several diplomatic sources, the Security Council has agreed to appoint Senegalese Abdoulaye Bitali, although the Libyan government has indicated reservations.
No official announcement has been made on that by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Because of that vacancy, the country's UN mission is currently under renewal for a period of only a few months, with Russia demanding the nomination of a new envoy before any further extension.
Mr Dbeibah's Government of National Unity, which he has run since last year and which controls the western part of the country, has been based in Tripoli since the fall of Qaddafi in 2011, while military strongman Khalifa Haftar-backed Mr Bashagha has run the eastern part of the country since March.
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How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Remaining fixtures
- August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
- September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company name: Blah
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Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
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His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
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Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
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