The Czech Republic’s foreign minister has suggested that the European Union consider a military engagement in Libya to reduce the flow of migrants arriving by boat from there to Europe. Lubomir Zaoralek says that “we must speak very openly what the real instruments are to stabilize Libya.” He told the …
Read More »UN to close five bases in eastern DRC
Five UN peacekeepers’ bases in the Democratic Republic of Congo are to close at the end of July, the UN mission there announced on Wednesday, describing it as a change in operational style. But the closures come against the background of cuts to the overall peacekeeping budget pushed through under …
Read More »EU, Lebanon discuss political solution for Syria
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini met with the Lebanese foreign minister Affairs Gebran Bassil Tuesday and discussed the Syrian crisis and its consequences on Lebanon. “We discussed in particular the Syrian crisis, the impact in Lebanon; We continue to be on the same side here agreeing that only a political …
Read More »EU increases support to Int'l investigation into war crimes in Syria
The European Union (EU) announced on Wednesday that it will provide 1.5 million euro (USD 1.7 mn) to support the International Independent Mechanism to Facilitate Investigations into the Most Serious Violations of International Law committed in Syria since March 2011. “Achieving justice for the victims is essential for a genuine …
Read More »Over 40 IS terrorists killed by Iraqi airstrikes
A total of 47 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed on Monday in Iraqi airstrikes in and near the IS-held town of Tal Afar in west of Mosul, the Iraqi military said. Iraqi jets conducted airstrikes on an IS post in the IS-held town of Mahalabiyah near the IS stronghold …
Read More »Iraq PM, Egypt FM discuss security and stability issues
Egypt is ready to help Iraq restore its security and stability as well as reconstruct Iraqi cities after the country’s recent victories over the militant group Daesh, Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry told Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi during Shoukry’s first visit to Mosul following its liberation from Daesh.
Read More »Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary sign gas network memorandum
Representatives of gas companies Bulgartransgaz EAD (Bulgaria), ICBG AD (Bulgaria), DESFA S.A. (Greece), FGSZ Ltd. (Hungary) and SNTGN TRANSGAZ S.A. (Romania) signed a memorandum of understanding about a project for implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor. The document was signed Wednesday at a joint meeting in Bucharest, the Energy Ministry …
Read More »Egypt police trap and kill top militants
Egyptian police have killed two leaders of the Hasam militia in a shootout after intercepting them as they relocated to a new hideout on Cairo’s outskirts, the government said Tuesday. The interior ministry said the two militants were “prominent leaders” of the Hasam group – an extremist movement the government …
Read More »Tunisia calls for new efforts for Libya stability
The foreign ministers of China and Tunisia are calling for new efforts to reach a negotiated peace in Libya and prevent the unstable North African nation from dissolving into a humanitarian disaster on a level with Syria.
Read More »Top Boko Boko Haram leader surrenders to Nigerian military
A high ranking Boko Haram leader and three other extremists reportedly handed themselves over to the Nigerian military early this week. According to Premium Times, Boko Haram leader Konto Fanami, and three other members willingly handed themselves over to the army on Monday. In a statement, military spokesperson Sani Usman …
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