UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of a new envoy to Libya on Friday, ending a nine-month search amid increasing chaos in the oil-rich North African nation.
The appointment of Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana as special envoy follows the departure of Senegalese diplomat Abdoulaye Bathily in April last year.
Mr Bathily told reporters that despite his best efforts, the UN could not successfully support the North African country's political transition because its leaders had put their own interests above a solution.
Libya has been in political chaos since a Nato-backed uprising toppled and killed long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. For years, the country has been split between rival administrations, each backed by militias and foreign governments.
The former envoy noted that his initiatives were often met with “stubborn resistance, unreasonable expectations and indifference to the interests of the Libyan people”.
Deputy special representative Stephanie Koury temporarily led the mission during the transition period.
Ms Tetteh was appointed as the special envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa in 2022. Before that, she was the special representative of the secretary general to the African Union and headed the UN Office to the African Union from 2018 to 2020.
Before her roles at the UN, Ms Tetteh was a prominent government official in Ghana, holding positions as minister for foreign affairs and minister for trade and industry.
Her tenure in government included significant roles such as chairwoman of the Council of Ministers and chairwoman of the Mediation and Security Council of Ecowas.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Result
UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
