Egypt has warned its citizens in Libya to stay in their homes and remain in contact with the foreign ministry in light of renewed clashes that have erupted in the capital of Tripoli between two powerful armed groups.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that it was closely following the developments in Libya with “great interest and worry”. It urged both sides to implement “the highest degree of self-control” and to put the interest of their people first.
Hundreds of thousands of Egyptian migrant workers reside in various parts of Libya, with 163,510 Egyptians – accounting for 20 per cent of all migrants in the country – according to a December migrant report from the International Organisation for Migration. However, some estimates suggest the number may be even higher.
Protests erupted in Tripoli on Friday, with hundreds of Libyans calling for the ousting of Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, who has headed the UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) since 2021.
After gathering in Tripoli’s Martyrs’ Square chanting anti-Dbeibeh slogans, the protesters convened outside the main government building in the city’s centre.
Televised footage showed the protesters carrying banners with Dbeibeh's face crossed out in red.
In a statement on Friday, Dbeibeh mourned the loss of a security official who lost his life while attempting to thwart what was described as an attempt by protesters to storm the government building.
The GNU said it respected the protesters’ right to express their opinions and attributed the more violent aspects of the protests to a nefarious militant group that had embedded itself among the protesters. It thanked the city’s police officials for “protecting the protesters and maintaining public order”.
In response to widespread reports that multiple ministers had resigned from Dbeibeh’s government in sympathy with protesters, the GNU denied these claims on Friday, asserting that all government ministers remained in their positions.
Almost 15 years after the ouster of Muammar Qaddafi and the emergence of rival administrations in 2014, Libya remains divided between the internationally recognised GNU based in Tripoli and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in the east.
While eastern Libya has been dominated for a decade by commander Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army, control in Tripoli and western Libya has been splintered among numerous armed factions.
Friday’s protests followed a week of heightened tensions in the Libyan capital, where repeated clashes between rival armed groups have disrupted public peace and caused the deaths and injuries of civilians.
Clashes broke out on Monday in several parts of Tripoli following heightened tensions between the various armed groups operating in the city, according to a statement from the United Nations’ Libya mission.
The fighting, which erupted in response to the killing of the powerful militia head Abdelghani Al Kikli, has involved the firing of heavy artillery weapons in densely populated neighbourhoods, with the UN confirming that eight civilians have thus far been killed.
A ceasefire agreement announced by the GNU came into effect on Wednesday and calmed the fighting, however, fears that the situation will escalate again remain.
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
