Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar walks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, April 14, 2019. Reuters
Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar walks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, April 14, 2019. Reuters
Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar walks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, April 14, 2019. Reuters
Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar walks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, April 14, 2019. Reuters

Khalifa Haftar agrees to Libya ceasefire in Egypt-led peace effort


Hamza Hendawi
  • English
  • Arabic

Egypt on Saturday announced a blueprint for a political settlement to the conflict in Libya and asked the UN to invite warring parties to Geneva to negotiate an agreement on implementing the plan.

The proposals also called for a truce from Monday morning, the withdrawal from Libya of “foreign mercenaries” and the disarming and dismantling of militias.

They included the creation of a panel representing all three regions of Libya – west, east and south – to draft a new constitution for the country.

Other proposals include a three-man presidential council to appoint a prime minister, and for a government in which the representation of the three regions is proportionate to the size of their population.

“This is an important moment that I had often looked forward to in recent years: a moment to declare an initiative that, if sincere intentions prevail, will usher in a new phase in Libya’s return to a normal and safe life,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said in televised comments.

Mr El Sisi spoke while flanked by eastern Libyan commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Parliamentary Speaker Aguila Saleh, whose chamber is based in the east.

There were no representatives from their chief rival, the Government of National Accord, based in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, and no immediate reaction from the GNA.

Mr El Sisi said the Libyan leaders had “a genuine desire to enforce the will of the Libyan people to see stability returning to Libya".

The UAE swiftly expressed its support for the Egyptian initiative.

“The Emirates declares its support for the good Egyptian efforts calling for an immediate ceasefire in Libya,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation said in a tweet.

Libya has been mired in turmoil since a popular uprising in 2011 deposed and killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

The country has since been divided into rival administrations in the east and west.

Repeated attempts at reconciling the country’s rivals have failed as the country plunged deeper into chaos and violence.

On Friday, Turkish-backed forces loyal to the GNA reportedly captured the last major stronghold near Tripoli held by Field Marshal Haftar’s Libyan National Army, the latest setback in its 14-month offensive to capture the Libyan capital.

He has pledged to take Tripoli and rid Libya of extremist militias in the capital and elsewhere in the vast, energy-rich nation.

Field Marshal Haftar's troops had withdrawn from the town of Tarhouna, extending the control of the Tripoli government over most of north-west Libya, LNA military sources told Reuters.

There was no official confirmation from the LNA.

“We warn against the insistence by any party to pursue a military solution to the Libyan crisis,” Mr El Sisi said.

Egypt and Libya share a porous desert border from which deadly attacks on security forces blamed on militant groups were launched.

“The stability of Libya is an indivisible part of Egypt’s own stability,” Mr El Sisi said.

He left it for the UN to decide on a date to start the proposed negotiations in Geneva.

But Mr El Sisi made it clear that he wanted “eastern representatives”, the Tripoli government and political and societal groups to be invited along with representatives from the UN, African Union, EU, Arab League and Libya’s neighbours.

No comment was immediately available from the UN.

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The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan

January 24 – First T20, Lahore

January 25 – Second T20, Lahore

January 27 – Third T20, Lahore

February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi

April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi

April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi

AVOID SCAMMERS: TIPS FROM EMIRATES NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet

3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details

4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure

5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs  (one-time passwords) with third parties

6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies

7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately

The National photo project

Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).

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

FIGHT CARD

 

1.           Featherweight 66kg

Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2.           Lightweight 70kg

Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

3.           Welterweight 77kg

Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4.           Lightweight 70kg

Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5.           Featherweight 66kg

Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

6.           Catchweight 85kg

Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

7.           Featherweight 66kg

Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

8.           Catchweight 73kg

Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)

9.           Featherweight 66kg

Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10.         Catchweight 90kg

Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

FA Cup fifth round draw

Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal 

THE SPECS

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8​​​​​​​

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 542bhp​​​​​​​

Torque: 680Nm​​​​​​​

Price: Dh465,071

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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.

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

PROFILE OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020

Launched: 2008

Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools

Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)

Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13

 

Impact in numbers

335 million people positively impacted by projects

430,000 jobs created

10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water

50 million homes powered by renewable energy

6.5 billion litres of water saved

26 million school children given solar lighting

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5