Protesters and armed groups from the city of Zuwara who accuse Libya's Tripoli-based government of racism towards them for being predominantly Amazigh forced ministers to cancel the reopening of the country's main border crossing with Tunisia.
Men with weapons and protesters blocked the road to the crossing at the coastal town of Ras Ajdir in north-west Libya, leading the Government of National Unity to cancel its reopening.
Demonstrators were from the coastal city of Zuwara, the population of which is predominantly from the Amazigh ethnic group – also known as Berbers.
The crossing, which was shut in March following armed clashes between Zuwara residents and security forces, was scheduled to fully open on Monday.
This would have been the result of an agreement between the Minister of Interior Imed Trabelsi and his Tunisian counterpart, Khaled Nouri.
Ras Ajdir border crossing has been the subject of previous conflict between Zuwara residents and Mr Trabelsi.
Mr Trabelsi has repeatedly accused tribal leaders’ of running the city according to their own rules, and said that “Zuwara cannot operate outside of state’s institutions”.
Zuwara residents say Mr Trabelsi excluded them from the negotiation process with Tunisian parties on the important crossing.
On Sunday, Zuwara leaders said Mr Trabelsi adopted “an ethnic and racist approach towards the Amazighs of Libya”.
They said the Libyan government has been marginalising and discriminating against local security forces and removing them from their duties in the city because of their Amazigh ethnic background.
Following the renewed protests, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met on Monday with a delegation from the Zuwara Municipal Council and a number of Amazigh tribal leaders to review their demands and service conditions at the Ras Ajdir border crossing, according to a Facebook post from the Government of National Unity.
“Developing the Ras Ajdir crossing is a necessary step towards providing vital services that many Libyans need,” Mr Dbeibah said.
He ordered the reopening of the Abu Kammash road to the border crossing and the completion of procedures to reopen it, in accordance with the plan agreed with the Tunisian government.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed last Saturday that they had finished all the necessary procedures and arrangements to reopen the border crossing, following a meeting with the Tunisian side.
In preparation for the reopening, the two countries have established six electronic registration centres for Libyan citizens’ cars and decided to exempt them from entrance fees, on condition that no armed clashes take place.
Authorities also said that they have found a solution to issues with many people on both sides of the border having similar names. In the past, this led to innocent people being mistakenly identified as wanted criminals or militants.
Libya has rival governments, the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity in the west and the rival House of Representatives, based in Tobruk, in the east.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
More on Palestine-Israeli relations
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: AF Senad, Nathan Crosse (jockey), Kareem Ramadan (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ashjaan, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Amirah, Conner Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yaasoob, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Manhunter, Ryan Curatolo, Mujeeb Rahman.
THE%20HOLDOVERS
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices