Magreb

Conflict Trends Update

LIBYA Representatives of Libya’s new interim national unity government joined foreign stakeholders at an international conference co-sponsored by the UN and Germany in Berlin on Wednesday. The gathering aimed to renew foreign commitment to supporting Libya’s peace process, with a special emphasis on holding elections at the end of 2021 …

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Algerian Elections Snubbed by Angry Public

Algeria on Saturday held its highly controversial parliamentary elections, managing a dismal 30.2% turnout as millions of would-be voters boycotted the vote amid the last-minute arrests of opposition figures. Final results are expected later Sunday. While President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said “it’s not the turnout percentage that’s important” and insisted Saturday …

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Jihadism in Tunisia: A Receding Threat?

What’s new? As the threat of jihadist violence recedes in Tunisia, some of the counter-terrorist measures put in place in 2013 are eroding social cohesion and undermining citizens’ trust in the country’s institutions. Why does it matter? These government measures have the potential to drive up the number of jihadist attacks, and …

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European Union calls on foreign forces to leave Libya

EU Council President Charles Michel met with officials in Tripoli as more European officials are set to visit the capital this month. The European Union reiterated a call for all foreign fighters to depart Libya as the war-torn country works toward a political solution to years of civil war. EU …

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Egypt criticizes plan to integrate militias into Libyan army

Egypt has raised concerns about a Libyan plan to integrate militias into its military establishment after unification, arguing that doing so could undermine security and stability in both countries. Egypt has renewed its support for the Libyan National Army. LNA commander Khalifa Hifter went to Cairo March 16 and met …

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UN’s Libya welcomes prisoner release as start of ‘nationwide reconciliation’

The UN mission in Libya hailed the release of more than 100 prisoners loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Hifter, calling the initiative the start of a “nationwide reconciliation.” In a ceremony attended by members of Libya’s transitional government, 107 detainees were released from prison in the western city of Zawiya …

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France reopens Libya embassy after 7-year closure

Most diplomats and other foreigners left the North African country after repeated attacks and kidnappings. France has reopened its embassy in Libya after a seven-year closure as insecurity swept the country following its 2011 revolution in another sign of a gradual return of stability.

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Libyan commander loyal to Hifter assassinated in Benghazi

Mahmoud al-Werfalli had been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and was under US and EU sanctions. Unknown gunmen in Benghazi have assassinated a notorious eastern-based commander in Libya who was wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), media news outlets reported on Wednesday. Mahmoud al-Werfalli commanded …

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Libya swears in new prime minister of unity government

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has vowed to unify the war-torn country and lambasted the presence of foreign mercenaries. Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Libya’s new prime minister, was sworn in on Monday ahead of United Nations-sponsored elections set for December that aim to reunite the war-wracked country a decade after the overthrow of …

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Algeria’s Islamist parties failing to inspire

Moderate Islamist parties in Algeria, which have been weakened by factionalism and internal disagreements over the years, are unlikely to increase their base in the upcoming general and local elections. Algeria’s moderate Islamist parties are unlikely to be able to capitalize on the snap general and local elections that President …

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