The Italian authorities have given permission to 176 migrants aboard a rescue ship to disembark in the port of Taranto in the south of the country, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said on Monday.

"We are relieved that the 176 survivors can disembark in a safe place without unnecessary waiting," the organisation said in a tweet.&nbsp;

"We are currently heading north," towards Taranto, it added.&nbsp;

The Ocean Viking ship, operated by the NGOs SOS Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders, picked up the migrants from inflatable boats in two operations off the coast of Libya. They include four pregnant women and at least nine people aged under 16.

Earlier on Monday, it had asked EU member countries to assign it a port where the migrants could disembark.

"No site in Libya can currently be considered safe" for migrants, SOS Mediterranee it had said in a statement.

The Ocean Viking's appeal for help comes as European leaders struggle to agree on how to jointly handle the thousands of people trying to reach the continent from Africa.

SOS Mediterranee said it was the fourth time it had asked for access to an EU port since August, shortly after relaunching rescue operations following a seven-month hiatus it blamed on obstruction by European nations.

Last month Italy, France, Germany, and Malta proposed a system for automatically distributing asylum seekers across the EU, but so far only a handful of other nations have backed the plan.

"Ad hoc accords cannot be the solution. We are calling on governments to put an end to an unacceptable situation," said Fabienne Lassalle, a deputy director at SOS Mediterranee France.

The Italian authorities have given permission to 176 migrants aboard a rescue ship to disembark in the port of Taranto in the south of the country, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said on Monday.

The Italian authorities have given permission to 176 migrants aboard a rescue ship to disembark in the port of Taranto in the south of the country, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said on Monday. "We are relieved that the 176 survivors can disembark in a safe place without unnecessary waiting," the organisation said in a tweet. "We are currently heading north," towards Taranto, it added. The Ocean Viking ship, operated by the NGOs SOS Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders, picked up the migrants from inflatable boats in two operations off the coast of Libya. They include four pregnant women and at least nine people aged under 16. Earlier on Monday, it had asked EU member countries to assign it a port where the migrants could disembark. "No site in Libya can currently be considered safe" for migrants, SOS Mediterranee it had said in a statement. The Ocean Viking's appeal for help comes as European leaders struggle to agree on how to jointly handle the thousands of people trying to reach the continent from Africa. SOS Mediterranee said it was the fourth time it had asked for access to an EU port since August, shortly after relaunching rescue operations following a seven-month hiatus it blamed on obstruction by European nations. Last month Italy, France, Germany, and Malta proposed a system for automatically distributing asylum seekers across the EU, but so far only a handful of other nations have backed the plan. "Ad hoc accords cannot be the solution. We are calling on governments to put an end to an unacceptable situation," said Fabienne Lassalle, a deputy director at SOS Mediterranee France.

Italy allows migrants to disembark from rescue ship

The U.S and the Dodgy Human rights record and uses Democracy to target rivals

U.S and Rights: One theme, many versions

US Uses Human Rights & Democracy As Sticks To Beat Adversaries With One story, many Presidents, one theme, many versions; whenever the U.S. rakes up human rights and democracy in other countries, it's done for strategic gains. Be it Iraq, Libya or Syria, the U.S. intervention has only resulted in chaos and destruction. This report explores

Gravitas: U.S. & Its Dodgy Human Rights Reputation

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-says-128000-syrians-subject-to-arbitrary-detention-252917">United States</a> military command for Africa announced on Monday that it had killed seven suspected Islamic State jihadists in an airstrike in southern Libya, the fourth such operation in two weeks.

"Our pursuit of ISIS-Libya and other terrorist networks degrades their ability to effectively conduct operations against the Libyan people," said Africa Command director of operations William Gayler, using an alternative acronym for IS.

His statement said the strike was carried out in coordination with the U.N.-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, and brings to 43 the number of suspected IS members killed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-must-take-sustained-and-verifiable-action-against-terrorists-united-states-252580">US forces</a> in Libya since September 19.

Three airstrikes were carried out on September 19, 24, and 26 in the area around Murzuq, an oasis town some 1,000 kilometres&nbsp;south of Tripoli, killing eight, eleven, and seventeen&nbsp;IS terrorists&nbsp;respectively, according to Africom.&nbsp;

Libya's southern desert lies outside the control of the GNA and of rival forces loyal to eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, although Haftar is alleged to have a presence there.

Since the start of an anti-GNA offensive launched by Haftar on April 4 to take Tripoli, analysts have warned of a security vacuum that could benefit IS in other parts of the country.

The United States military command for Africa announced on Monday that it had killed seven suspected Islamic State jihadists in an airstrike in southern Libya, the fourth such operation in two weeks.

The United States military command for Africa announced on Monday that it had killed seven suspected Islamic State jihadists in an airstrike in southern Libya, the fourth such operation in two weeks. "Our pursuit of ISIS-Libya and other terrorist networks degrades their ability to effectively conduct operations against the Libyan people," said Africa Command director of operations William Gayler, using an alternative acronym for IS. His statement said the strike was carried out in coordination with the U.N.-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, and brings to 43 the number of suspected IS members killed by US forces in Libya since September 19. Three airstrikes were carried out on September 19, 24, and 26 in the area around Murzuq, an oasis town some 1,000 kilometres south of Tripoli, killing eight, eleven, and seventeen IS terrorists respectively, according to Africom. Libya's southern desert lies outside the control of the GNA and of rival forces loyal to eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, although Haftar is alleged to have a presence there. Since the start of an anti-GNA offensive launched by Haftar on April 4 to take Tripoli, analysts have warned of a security vacuum that could benefit IS in other parts of the country.

United States kills seven Islamic State terrorists in Libya air strike

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar whose forces have been battling to capture the seat of the UN-recognized government in Tripoli since April, said he was open to "dialogue" ahead of a special UN session Thursday.

His forces are fighting those of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, in a country that has been plagued by violence since Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was killed in 2011.

"When all is said and done, we need dialogue, and we need to sit down" at the negotiating table, Haftar said in a statement issued Wednesday night.

Hours later, France and Italy brought together the conflict's regional actors in a special Thursday session on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Their mission: to unify the international community and coalesce around the best way out of the conflict.

Sarraj is backed by Turkey and Qatar, the latter of which was absent from the table. Haftar's allies, the UAE and Egypt, sat on the other side, as the small diplomatic gathering got underway.

The idea was to organize "political pressure on the main actors supporting each (Libyan) faction so that they might conclude that it's time to stop the military competition game and proxy war," a European diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

'No military solution'

Haftar's Wednesday declaration was seen as a positive sign after his faction declared only weeks prior that a "military solution" was the only way out.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army launched an offensive on April 4 to conquer the seat of Sarraj's government in Tripoli, and purge it of "terrorist groups."

The violence has killed more than 1,000 people according to the UN, and has seen the two sides become entrenched in a stalemate on the capital's southern outskirts.

Haftar has repeatedly hammered home that dialogue would "not be possible so long as terrorist groups and criminal militias control&nbsp;, Tripoli" in reference to forces loyal to the GNA.

But he hoped the UN meeting would lead to proposals that help "restore security and stability" in Libya.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, criticized for his support of Haftar before the Tripoli offensive, did not mince words.

"There will be no military solution in Libya. Those who think otherwise are wrong and risk dragging this country into a dramatic downward slide," he said ahead of the meeting, which was co-chaired by his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio.

'Africa has expertise'&nbsp;

Paris is particularly worried about the risk of an Islamic State insurgency in southern Libya.

The goal is for an agreement on four points: respect for a cease-fire, an arms embargo, sharing of oil resources, and organization of an inter-Libyan conference.

An international conference would gather the conflict's actors and their allies in Berlin, according to a plan proposed by UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame.

Countries in North Africa's Sahel region have been hit hard by the shockwaves and fallout from the Libyan crisis, and have taken a greater role in the African Union's efforts to settle the conflict.

Regional leaders called this week for the appointment of a joint UN-AU special envoy.

"Africa has expertise which has just been confirmed in the Sudan crisis," Mahamadou Issoufou, president of Niger, said.

"Libya is on the African continent, Libya is African, we cannot solve the Libyan problem by leaving the AU at the margin," he said.

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar whose forces have been battling to capture the seat of the UN-recognized government in Tripoli since April, said he was open to "dialogue" ahead of a special UN session Thursday.

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar whose forces have been battling to capture the seat of the UN-recognized government in Tripoli since April, said he was open to "dialogue" ahead of a special UN session Thursday. His forces are fighting those of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, in a country that has been plagued by violence since Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was killed in 2011. "When all is said and done, we need dialogue, and we need to sit down" at the negotiating table, Haftar said in a statement issued Wednesday night. Hours later, France and Italy brought together the conflict's regional actors in a special Thursday session on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Their mission: to unify the international community and coalesce around the best way out of the conflict. Sarraj is backed by Turkey and Qatar, the latter of which was absent from the table. Haftar's allies, the UAE and Egypt, sat on the other side, as the small diplomatic gathering got underway. The idea was to organize "political pressure on the main actors supporting each (Libyan) faction so that they might conclude that it's time to stop the military competition game and proxy war," a European diplomat said on condition of anonymity. 'No military solution' Haftar's Wednesday declaration was seen as a positive sign after his faction declared only weeks prior that a "military solution" was the only way out. Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army launched an offensive on April 4 to conquer the seat of Sarraj's government in Tripoli, and purge it of "terrorist groups." The violence has killed more than 1,000 people according to the UN, and has seen the two sides become entrenched in a stalemate on the capital's southern outskirts. Haftar has repeatedly hammered home that dialogue would "not be possible so long as terrorist groups and criminal militias control , Tripoli" in reference to forces loyal to the GNA. But he hoped the UN meeting would lead to proposals that help "restore security and stability" in Libya. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, criticized for his support of Haftar before the Tripoli offensive, did not mince words. "There will be no military solution in Libya. Those who think otherwise are wrong and risk dragging this country into a dramatic downward slide," he said ahead of the meeting, which was co-chaired by his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio. 'Africa has expertise' Paris is particularly worried about the risk of an Islamic State insurgency in southern Libya. The goal is for an agreement on four points: respect for a cease-fire, an arms embargo, sharing of oil resources, and organization of an inter-Libyan conference. An international conference would gather the conflict's actors and their allies in Berlin, according to a plan proposed by UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame. Countries in North Africa's Sahel region have been hit hard by the shockwaves and fallout from the Libyan crisis, and have taken a greater role in the African Union's efforts to settle the conflict. Regional leaders called this week for the appointment of a joint UN-AU special envoy. "Africa has expertise which has just been confirmed in the Sudan crisis," Mahamadou Issoufou, president of Niger, said. "Libya is on the African continent, Libya is African, we cannot solve the Libyan problem by leaving the AU at the margin," he said.

Haftar ready for 'dialogue' as UN pressures Libya's warring factions

A&nbsp;group&nbsp;of 66&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-flee-renewed-central-africa-violence-un-2076">African&nbsp;refugees</a>&nbsp;and asylum-seekers arrived in Kigali late Thursday, the UN said, the&nbsp;first&nbsp;of what could be thousands relocated&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-should-set-up-giant-refugee-city-in-libya-hungary-pm-6756">Libya</a>&nbsp;under a new programme.

Earlier this month,&nbsp;Rwanda&nbsp;signed a deal with the&nbsp;African&nbsp;Union (AU) and the United Nations&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;agency UNHCR agreeing to take in&nbsp;African&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;and asylum-seekers stranded in&nbsp;Libya.&nbsp;

The Rwandan government has said it is prepared to accommodate as many as 30,000 evacuees, although the plan is for the programme to unfold in batches of 500 to prevent the country of 12 million&nbsp;from&nbsp;feeling overwhelmed.

"Just landed!" the United Nations&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;agency wrote on its Twitter account as the&nbsp;first&nbsp;group&nbsp;of unaccompanied minors, single mothers and families landed in the Rwandan capital.

The youngest passenger was a two-month-old girl born to Somali parents in&nbsp;Libya.

A UN official told AFP Wednesday that a subsequent flight carrying 125 people was planned for "between 10-12 October".&nbsp;

They will be housed in a transit centre in&nbsp;Rwanda&nbsp;before being resettled elsewhere unless they agree to return to their home countries.&nbsp;

In the chaos that followed the fall and killing of former dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 uprising,&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;became a key transit point for sub-Saharan&nbsp;African&nbsp;migrants seeking to embark on dangerous journeys to Europe.

The UN says some 42,000&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;are currently in&nbsp;Libya.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame&nbsp;first&nbsp;offered to take in Africans stuck in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;back in November 2017, the same month a CNN report showed what appeared to be a slave market there.

The issue took on new urgency in July when more than 40 people were killed in an airstrike on a migrant detention centre in the Libyan town of Tajoura.

The UN has been criticised for its handling of a transit mechanism for evacuees&nbsp;from&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;established in 2017 on the other side of the continent, in Niger.

The facilities there have struggled with overcrowding and the slow pace of resettlement.

But UN and Rwandan officials say they have learned&nbsp;from&nbsp;Niger's experience.&nbsp;

A group of 66 African refugees and asylum-seekers arrived in Kigali late Thursday, the UN said, the first of what could be thousands relocated from Libya under a new programme.

A group of 66 African refugees and asylum-seekers arrived in Kigali late Thursday, the UN said, the first of what could be thousands relocated from Libya under a new programme. Earlier this month, Rwanda signed a deal with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR agreeing to take in African refugees and asylum-seekers stranded in Libya. The Rwandan government has said it is prepared to accommodate as many as 30,000 evacuees, although the plan is for the programme to unfold in batches of 500 to prevent the country of 12 million from feeling overwhelmed. "Just landed!" the United Nations refugee agency wrote on its Twitter account as the first group of unaccompanied minors, single mothers and families landed in the Rwandan capital. The youngest passenger was a two-month-old girl born to Somali parents in Libya. A UN official told AFP Wednesday that a subsequent flight carrying 125 people was planned for "between 10-12 October". They will be housed in a transit centre in Rwanda before being resettled elsewhere unless they agree to return to their home countries. In the chaos that followed the fall and killing of former dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 uprising, Libya became a key transit point for sub-Saharan African migrants seeking to embark on dangerous journeys to Europe. The UN says some 42,000 refugees are currently in Libya. Rwandan President Paul Kagame first offered to take in Africans stuck in Libya back in November 2017, the same month a CNN report showed what appeared to be a slave market there. The issue took on new urgency in July when more than 40 people were killed in an airstrike on a migrant detention centre in the Libyan town of Tajoura. The UN has been criticised for its handling of a transit mechanism for evacuees from Libya established in 2017 on the other side of the continent, in Niger. The facilities there have struggled with overcrowding and the slow pace of resettlement. But UN and Rwandan officials say they have learned from Niger's experience.

Rwanda welcomes first group of African refugees from Libya

Libya's Coast Guard said late on Thursday that it had picked up 493 migrants on six inflatable boats as a part of six operations in a week in the areas northeast and northwest of Tripoli, the capital.

"The migrants, including 28 women and five children, are from Sub-Saharan, Arab, and Asian countries. They were all moved to detention centres run by the UN-backed Government of National Accord", Coast Guard spokesperson Ayoub Qassem said.&nbsp;

Libya’s western coast is the main departure point for migrants fleeing war and poverty and hoping for new lives in Europe, though the number of crossings has dropped sharply since July 2017.

According to Qassem, the migrants were taken to various detention centres: 173 to Komas, some 120 km&nbsp;east of Tripoli, 166 to Tripoli, 50 to Zawiya, and 104 to Zuwarah, both towns that are west of Tripoli.

Earlier on Thursday, a Sudanese migrant died at the Abu Sittah Naval Base in Tripoli from a bullet wound, hours after being returned to shore by the Libyan Coast Guard. There was no immediate comment on the incident from the Coast Guard.

Libya plunged into chaos following the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with many armed groups and two administrations vying for power.

Libya's Coast Guard said late on Thursday that it had picked up 493 migrants on six inflatable boats as a part of six operations in a week in the areas northeast and northwest of Tripoli, the capital.

Libya's Coast Guard said late on Thursday that it had picked up 493 migrants on six inflatable boats as a part of six operations in a week in the areas northeast and northwest of Tripoli, the capital. "The migrants, including 28 women and five children, are from Sub-Saharan, Arab, and Asian countries. They were all moved to detention centres run by the UN-backed Government of National Accord", Coast Guard spokesperson Ayoub Qassem said. Libya’s western coast is the main departure point for migrants fleeing war and poverty and hoping for new lives in Europe, though the number of crossings has dropped sharply since July 2017. According to Qassem, the migrants were taken to various detention centres: 173 to Komas, some 120 km east of Tripoli, 166 to Tripoli, 50 to Zawiya, and 104 to Zuwarah, both towns that are west of Tripoli. Earlier on Thursday, a Sudanese migrant died at the Abu Sittah Naval Base in Tripoli from a bullet wound, hours after being returned to shore by the Libyan Coast Guard. There was no immediate comment on the incident from the Coast Guard. Libya plunged into chaos following the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with many armed groups and two administrations vying for power.

Libyan Coast Guard picks up 500 migrants near Tripoli

Flights have resumed from the Libyan capital's sole functioning airport as calm returned Monday to the outskirts of Tripoli after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../rocket-fire-hits-libya-airport-breaking-eid-truce -242334">temporary truce was violated </a>the previous day.

"Reopening airspace at Mitiga international airport after maintenance and cleaning... so that airlines can renew their flights," the facility's management said late Sunday on Facebook.

The UN-recognised government and forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar had agreed on a truce for the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha that began on Sunday.

Haftar launched an offensive to take Libya's capital in early April, but encountered stiff resistance, resulting in months of stalemate in southern Tripoli's outskirts.&nbsp;

Flights from Mitiga airport were suspended for several hours Sunday after rocket fire hit the airport, a few metres (yards) from the runway where planes were parked.

Located east of Tripoli, Mitiga is a former military airbase that has been used by civilian traffic since Tripoli international airport suffered severe damage during fighting in 2014.

Mitiga is in a zone under the control of forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and has often been targeted.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army and the GNA had Saturday agreed to a UN-sponsored humanitarian truce for Al-Adha, although the GNA listed conditions, including a cessation of troop movements.

The GNA blamed Haftar's forces for the attack on the airport, in which no casualties or serious damage were reported, and for a separate alleged attack in the Soug al-Jomaa district of Tripoli.

Over the past four months, 1,093 people have been killed in the fighting and 5,752 wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), while more than 120,000 people have been displaced.

Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Flights have resumed from the Libyan capital's sole functioning airport as calm returned Monday to the outskirts of Tripoli after a temporary truce was violated the previous day.

Flights have resumed from the Libyan capital's sole functioning airport as calm returned Monday to the outskirts of Tripoli after a temporary truce was violated the previous day. "Reopening airspace at Mitiga international airport after maintenance and cleaning... so that airlines can renew their flights," the facility's management said late Sunday on Facebook. The UN-recognised government and forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar had agreed on a truce for the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha that began on Sunday. Haftar launched an offensive to take Libya's capital in early April, but encountered stiff resistance, resulting in months of stalemate in southern Tripoli's outskirts. Flights from Mitiga airport were suspended for several hours Sunday after rocket fire hit the airport, a few metres (yards) from the runway where planes were parked. Located east of Tripoli, Mitiga is a former military airbase that has been used by civilian traffic since Tripoli international airport suffered severe damage during fighting in 2014. Mitiga is in a zone under the control of forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and has often been targeted. Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army and the GNA had Saturday agreed to a UN-sponsored humanitarian truce for Al-Adha, although the GNA listed conditions, including a cessation of troop movements. The GNA blamed Haftar's forces for the attack on the airport, in which no casualties or serious damage were reported, and for a separate alleged attack in the Soug al-Jomaa district of Tripoli. Over the past four months, 1,093 people have been killed in the fighting and 5,752 wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), while more than 120,000 people have been displaced. Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Libya airport reopens after truce-violating rocket fire

United Nations condemned Libya car bomb attack which took place outside a mall in Benghazi. Watch this video to know more.

United Nations condemned Libya car bomb attack

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 7th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 5th, 2019

A drone airstrike by eastern Libyan forces on the southern Libyan town of Murzuq has killed at least 43 people, a local official said on Monday.

The attack is the second major airstrike blamed on the eastern Libyan National Army (LNA) forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar after at least 44 migrants were killed in June when a detention centre in a suburb of the capital Tripoli was hit.

The LNA confirmed a strike late on Sunday on Murzuq but denied it had targeted any civilians. The LNA had also denied it had hit the detention centre but acknowledged increased airstrikes on the capital.

The internationally recognised government based in Tripoli opposing Haftar said dozens were killed and wounded in Murzuq.

Reached by telephone, Murzuq municipal council member Mohamed Omar told Reuters: "The airstrike resulted in 43 killed and 51 wounded. This is only an initial toll of casualties."

The LNA seized Murzuq at the start of this year as part of an offensive to control the oil-producing south. But it later moved out to concentrate forces north where it has been trying to take the capital Tripoli in a four-month campaign.

The LNA said in a statement its strike had targeted "Chadian opposition fighters", a phrase that usually refers to Tebu tribesmen opposing them in the area.

Haftar's LNA, allied to a parallel government based in eastern Libya, has seen its advance on Tripoli held up by robust defences on the outskirts of the capital, and said it would start heavy air strikes after "traditional means" of war had been exhausted.

On Sunday, the UN Libya mission (UNSMIL) condemned in a statement "the repeated indiscriminate shelling" of Tripoli's only functioning airport after several strikes in the past days.

The United Nations did not name the LNA but said the attacks had "continued unabated" since the start of the LNA offensive on Tripoli. 
There was no immediate UN comment on the Murzuq strike.

Haftar's attempt to capture Tripoli has derailed UN attempts to broker an end to the chaos that has prevailed in Libya since the NATO-backed overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

A drone airstrike by eastern Libyan forces on the southern Libyan town of Murzuq has killed at least 43 people, a local official said on Monday. The attack is the second major airstrike blamed on the eastern Libyan National Army (LNA) forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar after at least 44 migrants were killed in June when a detention centre in a suburb of the capital Tripoli was hit.

A drone airstrike by eastern Libyan forces on the southern Libyan town of Murzuq has killed at least 43 people, a local official said on Monday. The attack is the second major airstrike blamed on the eastern Libyan National Army (LNA) forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar after at least 44 migrants were killed in June when a detention centre in a suburb of the capital Tripoli was hit. The LNA confirmed a strike late on Sunday on Murzuq but denied it had targeted any civilians. The LNA had also denied it had hit the detention centre but acknowledged increased airstrikes on the capital. The internationally recognised government based in Tripoli opposing Haftar said dozens were killed and wounded in Murzuq. Reached by telephone, Murzuq municipal council member Mohamed Omar told Reuters: "The airstrike resulted in 43 killed and 51 wounded. This is only an initial toll of casualties." The LNA seized Murzuq at the start of this year as part of an offensive to control the oil-producing south. But it later moved out to concentrate forces north where it has been trying to take the capital Tripoli in a four-month campaign. The LNA said in a statement its strike had targeted "Chadian opposition fighters", a phrase that usually refers to Tebu tribesmen opposing them in the area. Haftar's LNA, allied to a parallel government based in eastern Libya, has seen its advance on Tripoli held up by robust defences on the outskirts of the capital, and said it would start heavy air strikes after "traditional means" of war had been exhausted. On Sunday, the UN Libya mission (UNSMIL) condemned in a statement "the repeated indiscriminate shelling" of Tripoli's only functioning airport after several strikes in the past days. The United Nations did not name the LNA but said the attacks had "continued unabated" since the start of the LNA offensive on Tripoli. There was no immediate UN comment on the Murzuq strike. Haftar's attempt to capture Tripoli has derailed UN attempts to broker an end to the chaos that has prevailed in Libya since the NATO-backed overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

43 killed and 51 wounded in the second major drone airstrike in Libya

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 4th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 3rd, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 2nd, 2019

Libya's Red Crescent said Friday its rescue workers had recovered the bodies of 62 migrants a day after one of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/115-people-feared-drowned-134-rescued-after-migrant-boat-capsize-libya-navy-238614">deadliest shipwrecks</a> this year in the Mediterranean.

"Our Red Crescent teams have pulled 62 migrants" from the water since Thursday evening, the head of the unit Abdelmoneim Abu Sbeih said.

Aid agencies on Thursday said more than 100 migrants were missing after their boat sank off the Libyan coast.

In one of the deadliest shipwrecks this year in the Mediterranean, 145 migrants were rescued but scores of others were feared drowned after their flimsy boat went down off Khoms, 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of Tripoli.

Despite the high number of those missing, estimated at more than 110 by the International Organization for Migration (OIM), the Libyan coast guard does not have the capabilities to launch a high seas search.

"There were bodies floating on the surface of the water where the boat went down" on Thursday, said one of the fishermen who were the first on the scene to rescue survivors.

Libyan navy spokesman General Ayoub Kacem said most of the rescued migrants were from Eritrea, although Palestinians and Sudanese were also among the group waiting to be taken on to reception centres.

In general, humanitarian agencies provide medical care and food for survivors, who are then transported to Libyan detention centres.

Amnesty International lambasted the European Union over the latest deaths.

"This high number represents a new low for European leaders. They have done everything they can to pull up the drawbridge to Europe," it said, "yet people are still risking their lives to come to Europe".

Libya's Red Crescent said Friday its rescue workers had recovered the bodies of 62 migrants a day after one of the deadliest shipwrecks this year in the Mediterranean.

Libya's Red Crescent said Friday its rescue workers had recovered the bodies of 62 migrants a day after one of the deadliest shipwrecks this year in the Mediterranean. "Our Red Crescent teams have pulled 62 migrants" from the water since Thursday evening, the head of the unit Abdelmoneim Abu Sbeih said. Aid agencies on Thursday said more than 100 migrants were missing after their boat sank off the Libyan coast. In one of the deadliest shipwrecks this year in the Mediterranean, 145 migrants were rescued but scores of others were feared drowned after their flimsy boat went down off Khoms, 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of Tripoli. Despite the high number of those missing, estimated at more than 110 by the International Organization for Migration (OIM), the Libyan coast guard does not have the capabilities to launch a high seas search. "There were bodies floating on the surface of the water where the boat went down" on Thursday, said one of the fishermen who were the first on the scene to rescue survivors. Libyan navy spokesman General Ayoub Kacem said most of the rescued migrants were from Eritrea, although Palestinians and Sudanese were also among the group waiting to be taken on to reception centres. In general, humanitarian agencies provide medical care and food for survivors, who are then transported to Libyan detention centres. Amnesty International lambasted the European Union over the latest deaths. "This high number represents a new low for European leaders. They have done everything they can to pull up the drawbridge to Europe," it said, "yet people are still risking their lives to come to Europe".

Rescuers retrieve 62 migrant bodies from capsized boat off Libya

Up to 150 people are feared to have died in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, while another 150 were rescued and are being returned to Libya, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Thursday.

Libya is a hub for migrants, many of whom try to reach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-coastguards-rescue-11-migrants-headed-for-britain-in-channel-238221">Europe in unseaworthy boats</a>.

The latest shipwreck takes the death toll of Mediterranean migrants to over 600 this year, putting 2019 on track to be the sixth year in a row with more than 1,000 deaths, UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said.

UNHCR and other UN agencies have repeatedly called for survivors not to be returned to Libya, a conflict zone where rescued migrants and refugees are routinely jailed in inhumane conditions.

"We understand that around 300 people left Libya from Al Khoms and came into trouble off the coast of Libya. They were initially rescued, some of them by local fishermen, who were then joined by the Libyan coastguard," UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said.

"Together, they were able to save around 150 people, but from what we understand, another 150 people have tragically lost their lives at sea," he added. &nbsp;

The ship left Libya from Al Khoms, a town 120 km east of Tripoli. There were around 300 people traveling, according to the first available accounts from survivors, but it was unclear if one or two vessels were involved.

The survivors were picked up by local fishermen and then returned to the coast by Libyan coastguard, Yaxley said.

If confirmed, the number of dead would be the highest for a shipwreck in the Mediterranean this year.&nbsp;

"We need more rescue boats on the Mediterranean to prevent lives from being lost," the UNHCR spokesman asserted.

Up to 150 people are feared to have died in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, while another 150 were rescued and are being returned to Libya, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Thursday.

Up to 150 people are feared to have died in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, while another 150 were rescued and are being returned to Libya, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Thursday. Libya is a hub for migrants, many of whom try to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats. The latest shipwreck takes the death toll of Mediterranean migrants to over 600 this year, putting 2019 on track to be the sixth year in a row with more than 1,000 deaths, UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said. UNHCR and other UN agencies have repeatedly called for survivors not to be returned to Libya, a conflict zone where rescued migrants and refugees are routinely jailed in inhumane conditions. "We understand that around 300 people left Libya from Al Khoms and came into trouble off the coast of Libya. They were initially rescued, some of them by local fishermen, who were then joined by the Libyan coastguard," UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said. "Together, they were able to save around 150 people, but from what we understand, another 150 people have tragically lost their lives at sea," he added. The ship left Libya from Al Khoms, a town 120 km east of Tripoli. There were around 300 people traveling, according to the first available accounts from survivors, but it was unclear if one or two vessels were involved. The survivors were picked up by local fishermen and then returned to the coast by Libyan coastguard, Yaxley said. If confirmed, the number of dead would be the highest for a shipwreck in the Mediterranean this year. "We need more rescue boats on the Mediterranean to prevent lives from being lost," the UNHCR spokesman asserted.

At least 150 people feared dead in shipwreck off Libya: UNHCR

Migrants at a Libyan detention centre say they are forced to live in unhygienic conditions, and often face food shortages.

Migrants stranded at Libya detention centre

Pope Francis expressed his sorrow for the migrants killed by air strikes against a detention centre in Libya that killed at least 53 people, including six children.

Pope Francis Prays For Victims In Libya

There are some major revelation of the Libyan crisis in the UN report. The crisis itself is not self-inflicted. But no global power wants to address it. Former U.S. President Barack Obama even admitted that Libya was the biggest mistake of his career. Palki says that the Libyan crisis and the international reaction resembles a famous nursery theme - Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall!

Gravitas: Migrants attacked in Libya: Major revelations in UN report

Migrants are human beings who symbolise all those rejected by globalisation, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-urges-libya-peace-return-of-refugees-to-syria-212319">Pope Francis</a> told a special mass on Monday, saying "the weakest and most vulnerable must be helped".

"These least ones are abandoned and cheated into dying in the desert," the pope told the mass to mark the sixth anniversary of the pope's visit to Lampedusa, where many asylum seekers arrive after a perilous sea journey from Libya.

"These least ones are tortured, abused and violated in detention camps, these least ones face the waves of an unforgiving sea," the pope told the mass, attended by 250 people including migrants, asylum seekers, and rescue workers.

Italy has in recent weeks been trying to keep its ports closed to charity ships which have rescued migrants from the Mediterranean, usually shipwrecked after leaving war-torn and lawless Libya.

"They are persons, these are not merely social or migrant issues!" the pope said.

Italy's far-right Interior Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-rescue-sailboat-defies-italys-salvini-docks-in-italy-233653">Matteo Salvini</a> has regularly used social media to attack migrants and the NGOs that help them.

"Migrants are first of all human persons, and... they are the symbol of all those rejected by today’s globalised society," the pope said.

Francis travelled to Lampedusa in July 2013, four months after he was elected but before the 2013-2017 wave of migrant arrivals and shipwrecks, condemning "the globalisation of indifference" towards migrants.

Since then, the pope has repeatedly called for the welcoming of migrants fleeing war or poverty.

Unfortunately, he said, the outskirts of Italian cities were "densely populated with persons who have been thrown away, marginalised, oppressed, discriminated against, abused, exploited, abandoned, poor and suffering".

Migrants are human beings who symbolise all those rejected by globalisation, Pope Francis told a special mass on Monday, saying "the weakest and most vulnerable must be helped".

Migrants are human beings who symbolise all those rejected by globalisation, Pope Francis told a special mass on Monday, saying "the weakest and most vulnerable must be helped". "These least ones are abandoned and cheated into dying in the desert," the pope told the mass to mark the sixth anniversary of the pope's visit to Lampedusa, where many asylum seekers arrive after a perilous sea journey from Libya. "These least ones are tortured, abused and violated in detention camps, these least ones face the waves of an unforgiving sea," the pope told the mass, attended by 250 people including migrants, asylum seekers, and rescue workers. Italy has in recent weeks been trying to keep its ports closed to charity ships which have rescued migrants from the Mediterranean, usually shipwrecked after leaving war-torn and lawless Libya. "They are persons, these are not merely social or migrant issues!" the pope said. Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has regularly used social media to attack migrants and the NGOs that help them. "Migrants are first of all human persons, and... they are the symbol of all those rejected by today’s globalised society," the pope said. Francis travelled to Lampedusa in July 2013, four months after he was elected but before the 2013-2017 wave of migrant arrivals and shipwrecks, condemning "the globalisation of indifference" towards migrants. Since then, the pope has repeatedly called for the welcoming of migrants fleeing war or poverty. Unfortunately, he said, the outskirts of Italian cities were "densely populated with persons who have been thrown away, marginalised, oppressed, discriminated against, abused, exploited, abandoned, poor and suffering".

Pope Francis says migrants symbol of 'all who are rejected by globalisation'

Washington's refusal to condemn an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-40-killed-in-air-strike-on-libya-migrant-centre-232617/amp">airstrike on a detention centre</a> that killed dozens of migrants blamed on Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar by his rivals shows tacit US support, experts say.

The decision could prove damaging for the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj -- as well as for the UN's influence and human rights in war-torn Libya.

Washington's move "should not come as a surprise", said James Dorsey, a researcher at Singapore's S&nbsp;Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "It is a sign of US policy changing towards Libya."

Following more than two hours of deliberations on Wednesday, the United States blocked the UN Security Council from adopting a unanimous statement condemning the incident.

Bodies were strewn on the floor of a hangar in Tripoli's Tajoura suburb, mixed with the blood-soaked clothes of migrants following the strike condemned by UN chief Antonio Guterres as "horrendous". At least 44 people were killed and more than 100 injured.

The US representatives at the UN gave no explanation for the Trump administration's decision not to condemn the outrage.

The British-drafted text did not lay the blame with either side of the bitter conflict that has pitted Haftar's eastern power-base against forces aligned with the UN-recognised government in Tripoli.

Instead, it called for a ceasefire and a resumption of talks.

But Washington refused to give the final go-ahead for the text to be adopted, according to a European diplomatic source.

'Shared vision'?

"This latest US stand is perfectly consistent with the policies of the past few years which have turned a blind eye to egregious human rights violations when committed by US allies," said Karim Bitar, a senior fellow at the Paris-based IRIS think-tank.

"The Trump administration and its Gulf allies have fully embraced Haftar's heavy-handed methods and authoritarian agenda."

Mired in chaos since the 2011 toppling of Moamer Kadhafi, Libya is ruled by two rival factions -- Sarraj's GNA in the west, and Haftar's in the east.

The UN has previously failed to agree a unified position after Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an assault on GNA-held Tripoli in April.

"The US have not withdrawn in any form or sense their recognition of -- nor revoked their support to -- the GNA, but de facto there has been contacts with Haftar at the highest level," added Dorsey.

After Haftar began to wage war on the country's west, US President Donald Trump called him to praise his "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources" and "shared vision".

'Our son of a bitch'

"Haftar fulfils two criteria in the eyes of Washington. One, he is projecting himself against the Islamists. Two, he is backed by the US's two closest allies in the region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia," said Dorsey.

Haftar has also received more subtle support from Egypt and France -- while even Russia has unusually sided with Washington and tilted towards him even as the GNA won backing from Turkey and Qatar.

"The last two months have witnessed a massive lobbying offensive in Washington with Haftar being represented by his own public relations firm backed by the extensive lobby apparatus of the UAE," said Andreas Krieg, a lecturer at King's College London.

"It looks as if the joint Haftar-UAE lobbying of Trump over the past months has been successful in convincing the White House that Haftar's LNA might be a partner to work with -- despite growing evidence of war crimes committed."

Haftar, 75, has sought to present himself as Libya's saviour while his rivals accuse him of once again seeking to subject Libya to a military dictatorship.

The US, which previously granted Haftar political asylum, knows him well.

Bitar, the IRIS analyst, summed up Washington's position by recounting the apocryphal comments of former US president Franklin D&nbsp;Roosevelt about Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza.

"He may be a son of a bitch," the 32nd president reputedly said. "But he's our son of a bitch."

Washington's refusal to condemn an airstrike on a detention centre that killed dozens of migrants blamed on Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar by his rivals shows tacit US support, experts say.

Washington's refusal to condemn an airstrike on a detention centre that killed dozens of migrants blamed on Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar by his rivals shows tacit US support, experts say. The decision could prove damaging for the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj -- as well as for the UN's influence and human rights in war-torn Libya. Washington's move "should not come as a surprise", said James Dorsey, a researcher at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "It is a sign of US policy changing towards Libya." Following more than two hours of deliberations on Wednesday, the United States blocked the UN Security Council from adopting a unanimous statement condemning the incident. Bodies were strewn on the floor of a hangar in Tripoli's Tajoura suburb, mixed with the blood-soaked clothes of migrants following the strike condemned by UN chief Antonio Guterres as "horrendous". At least 44 people were killed and more than 100 injured. The US representatives at the UN gave no explanation for the Trump administration's decision not to condemn the outrage. The British-drafted text did not lay the blame with either side of the bitter conflict that has pitted Haftar's eastern power-base against forces aligned with the UN-recognised government in Tripoli. Instead, it called for a ceasefire and a resumption of talks. But Washington refused to give the final go-ahead for the text to be adopted, according to a European diplomatic source. 'Shared vision'? "This latest US stand is perfectly consistent with the policies of the past few years which have turned a blind eye to egregious human rights violations when committed by US allies," said Karim Bitar, a senior fellow at the Paris-based IRIS think-tank. "The Trump administration and its Gulf allies have fully embraced Haftar's heavy-handed methods and authoritarian agenda." Mired in chaos since the 2011 toppling of Moamer Kadhafi, Libya is ruled by two rival factions -- Sarraj's GNA in the west, and Haftar's in the east. The UN has previously failed to agree a unified position after Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an assault on GNA-held Tripoli in April. "The US have not withdrawn in any form or sense their recognition of -- nor revoked their support to -- the GNA, but de facto there has been contacts with Haftar at the highest level," added Dorsey. After Haftar began to wage war on the country's west, US President Donald Trump called him to praise his "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources" and "shared vision". 'Our son of a bitch' "Haftar fulfils two criteria in the eyes of Washington. One, he is projecting himself against the Islamists. Two, he is backed by the US's two closest allies in the region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia," said Dorsey. Haftar has also received more subtle support from Egypt and France -- while even Russia has unusually sided with Washington and tilted towards him even as the GNA won backing from Turkey and Qatar. "The last two months have witnessed a massive lobbying offensive in Washington with Haftar being represented by his own public relations firm backed by the extensive lobby apparatus of the UAE," said Andreas Krieg, a lecturer at King's College London. "It looks as if the joint Haftar-UAE lobbying of Trump over the past months has been successful in convincing the White House that Haftar's LNA might be a partner to work with -- despite growing evidence of war crimes committed." Haftar, 75, has sought to present himself as Libya's saviour while his rivals accuse him of once again seeking to subject Libya to a military dictatorship. The US, which previously granted Haftar political asylum, knows him well. Bitar, the IRIS analyst, summed up Washington's position by recounting the apocryphal comments of former US president Franklin D Roosevelt about Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. "He may be a son of a bitch," the 32nd president reputedly said. "But he's our son of a bitch."

US banks on Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar: Experts

At Least 44 People Killed In A Missile Attack On Migrants In Libya Horrific attack in Libya. A missile attack on a detention centre for migrants killed over 40 people. United Nations says it could be a war crime. Palki gets the story.

Gravitas: Missile attack on migrants in Libya: over 40 dead

An air strike hit a detention center for mainly African migrants in the Libyan capital Tripoli on July 2, killing over 44 people and wounding more than 130, the United Nations said. Watch this video to know more.

Libya detention centre attack: over 44 killed, 130 injured

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