Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar told French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday that he was willing to negotiate a ceasefire in Libya but the conditions were not yet right.
Mr Macron and French officials have for several weeks called for an unconditional ceasefire in the battle for Tripoli after Field Marshal Haftar last month launched an offensive on the Libyan capital.
The Libyan eastern military chief held a long meeting with the French leader at Elysee Palace.
Field Marshal Haftar said his Libyan National Army began the Tripoli offensive to drive out terrorist groups and explained the situation in the eastern Libyan city of Derna, where his fighters have battled Al Qaeda militants.
He said he always made a political solution his priority and that he took part in the political dialogue, but he had been forced to lead the offensive because discussions with the parties involved made no progress.
Field Marshal Haftar said he saw the growing control of armed groups and terrorists in Tripoli, which made him intervene.
French Presidential sources said that during his meeting with Mr Macron, he talked about his army as if he considered it the main national defence force of Libya, making it his responsibility to defend Tripoli and Derna, and the oil crescent last year.
Field Marshal Haftar said his main target was to prevent the control of militias and to protect the oil revenues of his country.
When Mr Macron asked him for a ceasefire, he asked with whom he could negotiate for it because he regards the rival government of Fayez Al Sarraj to be totally controlled by militias, and that he cannot negotiate with them.
Mr Macron met Mr Al Sarraj this month, but the next day the Libyan leader's administration asked 40 foreign companies, including France's Total, to renew their licences or have their operations suspended.
Mr Al Sarraj leads the internationally recognised administration in Tripoli but some European countries, including France, have also supported Field Marshal Haftar in his fight against fight militants.
The commander said neither he nor his army were benefiting from oil sales in the east of the country, the presidential official said.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
SPECS
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Wydad 2 Urawa 3
Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90'
Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Islamic%20Architecture%3A%20A%20World%20History
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
