Egypt’s peace initative for Libya strengthens momentum from Arab states on securing a swift halt in fighting and a return to talks, the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said on Monday.
Egypt’s proposal for a halt in fighting, called the Cairo Declaration, was announced by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Saturday night.
It calls for the withdrawal of "foreign mercenaries from all Libyan territory, dismantling militias and handing over their weaponry".
On Monday, Dr Gargash said the proposal "strengthens the Arab and international momentum for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of foreign troops and the return to a political track".
The proposal seeks to end a more than year-long battle between the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar from the east, and militias who back the Government of National Accord in Tripoli.
Libya has been mired in chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and later killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
Russia on Monday added its support to the "comprehensive" Cairo Declaration, saying it should be the main forum for long-overdue talks to decide the future of Libya.
“We hope that the authorities in Tripoli will promptly and with due attention take note of the peaceful call from Cairo and will respond to it in a constructive way,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Despite the Egyptian suggestion of a ceasefire from Monday, there was still heavy fighting with pro-GNA militias pushing their assault on LNA-held areas around Sirte.
The town was taken by the LNA in January but the GNA has made gains in recent days, pushing the eastern forces in areas of the west.
The LNA said it had been making tactical withdrawals from territory around Tripoli to give peace talks a chance.
Taking Sirte would open the gate for the GNA militias to press farther eastwards, towards vital oil installations, terminals and fields that were shut down since this year, cutting off Libya’s major source of income.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj urged the Tripoli fighters to “continue their path” towards Sirte, said Mohamed Gnono, a spokesman for the militias.
But the LNA military said its troops destroyed a military company that included Turkish-made armoured cars and tanks, along with a bus carrying Turkish troops and Syrian mercenaries who have been aiding the Tripoli militias.
Two Sirte residents said shelling by Tripoli militias earlier on Monday killed at least eight civilians and wounded six in the town of Thalatheen, about 30 kilometres west of Sirte.
The Libyan Red Crescent in Sirte said the dead included a family of seven people.
GNA Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha, said the government would take part in talks only after taking Sirte and the Jufra air base to the south.
The UN said there were reports of GNA militias looting areas of captured territory in the west of the country.
They took the town of Tarhouna last Thursday and Alasabaa, south of Tripoli.
"Reports of the discovery of a number of corpses at the hospital in Tarhouna are deeply disturbing," the UN mission to Libya said after the town was captured.
The UN demanded that the GNA hold an investigation.
"We have also received numerous reports of the looting and destruction of public and private property in Tarhouna and Alasabaa, which in some cases appear to be acts of retribution and revenge that risk further fraying Libya's social fabric."
The UN said it is encouraged by calls to restart the long-stalled peace talks.
Its mission said the fight over the capital “has proven, beyond any doubt, that any war among Libyans is a losing war".
It urged Libyan parties to “engage swiftly and constructively” in the talks, “accompanied by firm implementation of and respect for the recently renewed UN arms embargo on Libya".
It said 16,000 Libyans had been displaced by fighting in recent days.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
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Arabians won the final by eight wickets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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.
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The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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.
