The UN on Friday urged mercenaries from Russia, Syria, Sudan and Chad to leave Libya, where the opening of a coastal road has raised hopes that a fragile peace will hold in the country.
Jelena Aparac, chair of the UN's working group on mercenaries, said foreign military contractors were obstacles to progress towards elections planned for December and that their exit from Libya was “long overdue”.
Her comments followed an announcement that Libya's warring sides had on Friday reopened the main coastal road across the conflict's front line, a central element of last year’s ceasefire aimed at ending a decade-long war.
“Nine months after the ceasefire agreement calling for the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, mercenaries and private military and security contractors continue to operate in the country,” said Ms Aparac.
“Their continued recruitment and presence in Libya impedes progress in the peace process and constitutes an obstacle for the coming elections.”
The working group, made up of five experts, said in a statement that “well-trained and well-armed private contractors from Russia, Syria, Sudan and Chad” had intensified the conflict in Libya.
Their presence, as well as the weapons they bring into the country, are in breach of a UN arms embargo, and pose a threat to security in neighbouring countries in North Africa, the experts said.
The UN last year estimated that some 20,000 foreign mercenaries were fighting in Libya, where Turkey was militarily backing a UN-recognised government in Tripoli while Russia, Egypt and others supported a rival administration in the east.
Libya has been in turmoil since a 2011 Nato-backed uprising against then-leader Muammar Qaddafi, but a UN-led peace process brought about a ceasefire last summer and a unity government was formed in February.
Since then, however, there has been little agreement on key steps forward, including on a constitutional basis for the elections scheduled in December and for the unity government’s budget.
Against the backdrop of this slow progress, the announcement of the opening of the long-shuttered coastal road near Sirte was heralded by the UN as an important milestone.
“The opening of the coastal road is a critical step to further the implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” UN envoy Jan Kubis said in a statement on Friday.
“The next major step … is to commence the withdrawal of all mercenaries, foreign fighters and forces from Libya without delay, starting with the withdrawal of the first groups of foreign mercenaries and fighters from both sides.”
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Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Results
2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m
Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m
Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
Vikram%20Vedha
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BIG SPENDERS
Premier League clubs spent £230 million (Dh1.15 billion) on January transfers, the second-highest total for the mid-season window, the Sports Business Group at Deloitte said in a report.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Cases of coronavirus in the GCC as of March 15
Saudi Arabia – 103 infected, 0 dead, 1 recovered
UAE – 86 infected, 0 dead, 23 recovered
Bahrain – 210 infected, 0 dead, 44 recovered
Kuwait – 104 infected, 0 dead, 5 recovered
Qatar – 337 infected, 0 dead, 4 recovered
Oman – 19 infected, 0 dead, 9 recovered
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5