Libya's unity government led by interim prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah was sworn in on Monday in the eastern city of Tobruk to lead the country to elections in December after years of conflict and division.
"I swear by God almighty to perform my duties with honesty and sincerity," said Mr Dbeibah, said taking the oath of office in front of members of parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk.
His government will replace the Government of National Accord (GNA), which controlled Tripoli and north-west Libya, and a rival government in the east.
The audience included diplomats from western countries, as well as Turkey, which had backed the GNA, and Egypt, which had supported the eastern-based administration.
Libya descended into conflict after dictator Muammar Qaddafi was toppled and killed in a Nato-backed uprising in 2011, resulting in several forces vying for power. A UN-supervised process is aimed at uniting the country, building on an October ceasefire between the rival administrations.
Mr Dbeibah was selected at UN-sponsored talks in February alongside an interim three-member presidency council, which was also sworn in on Monday.
The ceremony comes after parliament last week approved Mr Dbeibah's Cabinet, in a move hailed by key leaders and foreign powers as historic.
His government includes two deputy prime ministers, 26 ministers and six ministers of state, with the key foreign affairs and justice portfolios handed to women, a first in Libya.
"This will be the government of all Libyans," Mr Dbeibah said after the vote. "Libya is one and united."
Outgoing GNA head Fayez Al Sarraj has said he is "fully ready to hand over" power, while the leader of the Libyan National Army allied to the eastern administration, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, last month offered "the support of the armed forces for the peace process".
But the new executive faces daunting challenges to unify the country's institutions, end a decade of fighting marked by international interference and prepare for elections on December 24.
The European Union last week issued a warning it could impose sanctions on domestic or foreign "spoilers" who undermine peace efforts.
Mr Dbeibah was considered an outsider compared with other candidates vying for the job, and his election process has been marred by allegations of vote-buying.
But he jumped into his role even before his inauguration, including pledging to combat the coronavirus crisis, and taking anti-corruption measures by freezing state-owned investment funds.
But after 42 years of dictatorship under Qaddafi and a decade of violence, the list of challenges is long.
The country of seven million that sits on top of Africa's largest proven crude oil reserves, is mired in a dire economic crisis, with soaring unemployment, crippling inflation and endemic corruption.
Libya also suffers from poor public services including regular power cuts and water shortages.
Another key task will be ensuring the departure of an estimated 20,000 mercenaries and foreign fighters still living in the country, who Mr Dbeibah has called "a stab in our back".
The UN Security Council on Friday called for all foreign forces to leave "without further delay".
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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On sale: Now
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Copa del Rey
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)
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Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
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What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- 600-seat auditorium
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Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
