The US pressed for a ceasefire in Libya during calls at the weekend to the government in Tripoli and its main backer Turkey.
President Donald Trump raised the issue with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, the White House said.
"President Trump reiterated concern over worsening foreign interference in Libya and the need for rapid de-escalation,” spokesman Judd Deere said.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Government of National Accord to accept a ceasefire with forces loyal to the rival administration in the east of Libya, and criticised the flow of weapons into the country despite a UN embargo.
“A ceasefire leading to a political resolution is the only option for the Libyan people,” Mr Pompeo said on Twitter after speaking to the GNA Prime Minister, Fayez Al Sarraj.
The State Department said Mr Pompeo called Mr Al Sarraj to “reiterate US opposition to the continued level of weapons and munitions being brought into the country”.
The two men “emphasised the importance of an immediate halt to the fighting and return to political dialogue”.
Mr Pompeo did not name a country, but the GNA's key military supplier is Turkey, which signed a pact with Tripoli in November.
A report last month by the International Crisis Group said that Turkey had sent at least 100 military officers, shiploads of weapons and aerial defences, and at least 2,000 pro-Turkish mercenaries from Syria to Libya.
Mr Al Sarraj’s government this week rejected an offer of a ceasefire from forces allied to the House of Representatives administration based in eastern Libya and led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Ahmed Al Mismari, spokesman for Field Marshal Haftar’s forces, said they would withdraw up to 3 kilometres from Tripoli’s front lines in a “humanitarian gesture” for Eid Al Fitr.
The offer followed successes by GNA forces in recent weeks, including the capture of the Al Watiya airbase near Tripoli on Monday, and was dismissed by GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha as an attempt to disguise a retreat.
Field Marshal Haftar said the offensive on the Libyan capital, launched in April last year, is directed at Tripoli-based extremist militias supporting the GNA.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Results
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
