French President Emmanuel Macron met Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Paris on Tuesday for talks on ways to support a political transition and greater stability in the country.
“We must put an end to all foreign interference, which involves the withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries’ forces on Libyan soil: the Russians, the Turkish, the Syrian mercenaries and all the others,” Mr Macron said.
Mr Dbeibah praised France for its support and pledged “effective and intense action” to “organise free, transparent and fair elections” at the end of the year.
The leaders met after Tuesday's announcement that Germany and the UN would hold a conference on Libya this month in Berlin, bringing together powers with interests in the country and its transitional government.
The Berlin meeting of foreign ministers follows up on a January 2020 summit where leaders agreed to respect an arms embargo for Libya and to drive the North African nation’s warring parties to a full ceasefire.
The agenda for the June 23 conference includes discussions about preparing for elections in December and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya.
The countries that have been involved in the peace process include the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with the UAE, Italy and Turkey.
The Berlin conference will be the first time the Libyan transitional government is represented at such an event, the German Foreign Ministry said.
It will “take stock of progress” since the first Berlin gathering and discuss “the next steps needed for a sustainable stabilisation".
“The main focus will be on preparations for the national elections scheduled for December 24, and on the withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries from Libya as agreed in the ceasefire,” the ministry said.
“In addition, steps towards the creation of unified Libyan security forces will be discussed.”
Libya desperately seeks stability
Libya has been mired in chaos since a Nato-backed uprising toppled long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi, who was later killed, in 2011.
Afterwards, the country was divided between a government in the capital, Tripoli, and rival authorities in the country’s east.
In April 2019, east-based commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army launched an offensive to capture Tripoli.
The 14-month campaign collapsed after Turkey increased its military support of the Tripoli government with hundreds of troops and thousands of Syrian mercenaries.
An October ceasefire included a demand that all foreign fighters and mercenaries leave Libya within 90 days.
That led to a deal on the December elections and a transitional government that took office in February.
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8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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