The commander of US forces in Africa and the head of the US embassy in Libya have met Libyan military commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the eastern city of Benghazi, amid a standoff between the country's rival power centres that has shut down oil production.
The US embassy said Gen Michael Langley and charge d'affaires Jeremy Berndt “highlighted the importance of preserving Libya’s stability and of de-escalation in the context of current tensions” during their meeting on Tuesday with Mr Haftar, whose Libyan National Army controls the country's east and south.
Their meeting focused on the commitment of the US to strengthening its partnership with Libyans from all parts of the country and supporting Libyan efforts to protect the country's sovereignty amid regional security challenges, the embassy said in a post on X.
“The United States urges all Libyan stakeholders to engage constructively in dialogue” with support from the UN Support Mission in Libya and the international community, added the embassy.
Libya has been grappling with a complex political landscape since the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, with control divided between two rival governments. The internationally recognised Government of National Unity is located in Tripoli, while the Government of National Stability, which is backed by Mr Haftar, is based in the east.
Authorities in the east – where most of Libya's oilfields lie – declared on Monday that all oil production and exports, the country's main source of revenue, would be halted. The move followed a decision by Tripoli-based authorities to sack the head of the central bank.
Since the fall of Qaddafi, numerous armed groups have emerged in Libya. Militias have consolidated power through leaders who have acquired top government and military posts, blurring the lines between militias and state forces.
Observers say this has diminished prospects for disarmament and reintegration into a unified army under state control.
According to a report by the US Congressional Research Service, Washington has a complicated relationship with Mr Haftar and the LNA.
While the US has recognised the GNU as the legitimate government of Libya, it has also worked with Mr Haftar in counterterrorism efforts against ISIS and Al Qaeda affiliates in the country.
Mr Haftar's recent moves have further complicated the political landscape. On August 12, the GNU strongly condemned Egypt's decision to receive Osama Hamad, the head of the GNS, for an official visit.
Mr Hamad was accompanied by Mr Haftar’s son, Balqasim, who is the director general of the Libyan Development and Reconstruction Fund.
Prior to their visit to Egypt, Mr Hamad and Balqasim Haftar were hosted for talks in Turkey in July.
Ankara, previously a supporter of the UN-backed GNU, has recently shifted its position on Libya and is now engaging the rival GNS in diplomacy.
The GNU said it views these engagements by Egypt and Turkey as an escalation and a departure from the international community's previously unified position on Libya.
It has not commented publicly on visit to Benghazi by Gen Langley and Mr Berndt.
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh recently formed a security committee to address the proliferation of armed groups in Tripoli and limit security operations to Ministry of Interior personnel.
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
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It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
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“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
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Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Match statistics
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 36 Bahrain 32
Harlequins
Tries: Penalty 2, Stevenson, Teasdale, Semple
Cons: Stevenson 2
Pens: Stevenson
Bahrain
Tries: Wallace 2, Heath, Evans, Behan
Cons: Radley 2
Pen: Radley
Man of the match: Craig Nutt (Harlequins)
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Fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit
As he spoke, Mr Aboul Gheit repeatedly referred to the need to tackle issues affecting the welfare of people across the region both in terms of preventing conflict and in pushing development.
Lebanon is scheduled to host the fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in January that will see regional leaders gather to tackle the challenges facing the Middle East. The last such summit was held in 2013. Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki told The National that the Beirut Summit “will be an opportunity for Arab leaders to discuss solely economic and social issues, the conference will not focus on political concerns such as Palestine, Syria or Libya". He added that its slogan will be “the individual is at the heart of development”, adding that it will focus on all elements of human capital.
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T20 World Cup Qualifier A, Muscat
Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
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