Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar said their campaign against an armed coalition of local fighters and Islamists in the eastern city of Derna has reached its final stages after several days of heavy fighting.
Brigades from Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) launched a ground offensive to take Derna last month after encircling the city – the last in eastern Libya to elude their control – for around two years.
The fighting risks undermining UN-led efforts to reunify Libya and hold elections after years of turmoil that have provided a safe haven to militants and people smugglers, and crippled Libya's oil-dependent economy.
Haftar is the dominant figure in eastern Libya, where he is aligned with a government and parliament that reject the internationally recognised government in the capital, Tripoli, in the northwest.
The LNA is fighting a coalition known as the Derna Protection Force (DPF), which includes local combatants and Islamist forces with links to groups in western Libya that also oppose Haftar.
The LNA says the DPF includes fighters with connections to Al Qaeda, as well as foreign militants. The DPF denies that, saying it is battling to defend Derna from a military takeover as Haftar seeks national power.
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Read more:
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Overview: the ousting of Muammar Qaddafi and the chaos that ensued
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On Saturday and Sunday, the LNA said it had advanced in the district of Sheiha after hitting it with multiple air strikes, to the edge of Al Maghar in central Derna, a Mediterranean port.
"What remains outside the control of our forces is considered a small combat zone, less than just 10 km squared," said LNA spokesman Ahmed Al Mismar. "The operations are in their final stages and the fighting is very heavy."
The United Nations has expressed concern about the plight of Derna's 125,000 residents, whose access to food, water, communications and medical treatment has been severely restricted.
The LNA has said it is working to restore services and deliver food to parts of Derna where it has advanced. The Red Crescent said it had helped some 1,800 families that had been granted safe passage from areas being fought over.
Derna is located about 265 km (165 miles) to the west of the border with Egypt, one of several foreign powers that has provided support to Haftar.
Results
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m; Winner: Ghaiyyath, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Cliffs Of Capri, Tadhg O’Shea, Jamie Osborne.
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Zakouski, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
RESULTS
1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman
4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
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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
