At least 25 migrants died after their boat sank off Libya&#39;s western coast on Saturday and survivors were being brought back to port in Tripoli, Libyan coastguard officials said.

Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. Smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink.

Most migrants are picked up by international vessels and taken to Italy, where more than 115,000 have landed so far this year, although an increasing number are intercepted by Libya&#39;s European-backed coastguard and returned to the North African country.

Since July, there has been a sharp drop in crossings, though this week has seen a renewed surge in departures.

Nearly 3,000 migrants are known to have died or been missing after trying to cross to Europe by sea this year, the majority of them between Libya and Italy. The International Organization for Migration said on Friday that since 2000 the Mediterranean had been &quot;by far the world&#39;s deadliest border&quot;.

Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe and the smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink

At least 25 migrants died after their boat sank off Libya's western coast on Saturday and survivors were being brought back to port in Tripoli, Libyan coastguard officials said. Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. Smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink. Most migrants are picked up by international vessels and taken to Italy, where more than 115,000 have landed so far this year, although an increasing number are intercepted by Libya's European-backed coastguard and returned to the North African country. Since July, there has been a sharp drop in crossings, though this week has seen a renewed surge in departures. Nearly 3,000 migrants are known to have died or been missing after trying to cross to Europe by sea this year, the majority of them between Libya and Italy. The International Organization for Migration said on Friday that since 2000 the Mediterranean had been "by far the world's deadliest border".

At least 25 dead after migrant boat sinks off Libya

More than 30 migrants died and 200 were rescued on Saturday after their boats foundered off Libya&#39;s western coast, the Libyan navy said.

The coastguard conducted two rescue operations off the city of Garabulli, 60 kilometres (40 miles) east of Tripoli, spokesman Colonel Abu Ajila Abdelbarri said.

He added that patrols had found 31 bodies and 60 survivors from one boat, along with a further 140 survivors from a second.

&quot;When we arrived at the spot, we found an inflatable dinghy with several people clinging to part of it,&quot; he said.

He did not specify whether any migrants were missing.

&quot;The weather conditions these days are favourable for sending migrants to European shores on boats that are often unseaworthy,&quot; he added.

Libyan patrol boat commander Nasser al-Ghammoudi said one of the migrants&#39; vessels was three-quarters under water when the coastguard arrived.

&quot;We looked for other survivors for more than five hours,&quot; he said. &quot;We were able to rescue one woman after we heard her shouts.&quot;

The survivors were brought back to a naval base in Tripoli where the authorities provided them with water, food and medical care.

Migrants intercepted or rescued by the Libyan coastguard are usually held in detention centres to await repatriation, but waiting times are often long and conditions deplorable.

UN human rights chief Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein in mid-November labelled as &quot;inhuman&quot; European Union support for Libyan authorities to intercept migrants in the Mediterranean and return them to &quot;horrific&quot; prisons in Libya.

Last week, US television network CNN aired footage of an apparent slave auction in Libya where black men were presented to North African buyers as potential farmhands and sold off for as little as $400 (350 euros).

Libya&#39;s UN-backed unity government said it would form a &quot;commission to investigate these reports in order to apprehend and bring those responsible to justice&quot;.

People trafficking networks have flourished in the chaos that followed a NATO-backed uprising which toppled long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The unity government has said Libya is &quot;a victim of illegal immigration, a transit state, not its source&quot;, adding that the only solution is a return to stability.

More than 30 migrants died and 200 were rescued on Saturday after their boats foundered off Libya's western coast, the Libyan navy said

More than 30 migrants died and 200 were rescued on Saturday after their boats foundered off Libya's western coast, the Libyan navy said. The coastguard conducted two rescue operations off the city of Garabulli, 60 kilometres (40 miles) east of Tripoli, spokesman Colonel Abu Ajila Abdelbarri said. He added that patrols had found 31 bodies and 60 survivors from one boat, along with a further 140 survivors from a second. "When we arrived at the spot, we found an inflatable dinghy with several people clinging to part of it," he said. He did not specify whether any migrants were missing. "The weather conditions these days are favourable for sending migrants to European shores on boats that are often unseaworthy," he added. Libyan patrol boat commander Nasser al-Ghammoudi said one of the migrants' vessels was three-quarters under water when the coastguard arrived. "We looked for other survivors for more than five hours," he said. "We were able to rescue one woman after we heard her shouts." The survivors were brought back to a naval base in Tripoli where the authorities provided them with water, food and medical care. Migrants intercepted or rescued by the Libyan coastguard are usually held in detention centres to await repatriation, but waiting times are often long and conditions deplorable. UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein in mid-November labelled as "inhuman" European Union support for Libyan authorities to intercept migrants in the Mediterranean and return them to "horrific" prisons in Libya. Last week, US television network CNN aired footage of an apparent slave auction in Libya where black men were presented to North African buyers as potential farmhands and sold off for as little as $400 (350 euros). Libya's UN-backed unity government said it would form a "commission to investigate these reports in order to apprehend and bring those responsible to justice". People trafficking networks have flourished in the chaos that followed a NATO-backed uprising which toppled long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. The unity government has said Libya is "a victim of illegal immigration, a transit state, not its source", adding that the only solution is a return to stability.

Libya navy says over 30 migrants dead, 200 rescued off coast

&nbsp;Italian police have seized 50 million euros worth of tablets of a synthetic opiate destined to be sold by the Islamic State (IS) group in Libya to raise funds for attacks, a court said Friday.

Financial police discovered over 24 million Tramadol tablets being transported from India to Libya at the port of Gioia Tauro in southern Italy.

The painkiller has been described as the &quot;fighter drug&quot; as it is known to be popular among jihadists for its ability to dull pain and suppress fatigue.

The haul is estimated to be worth 50 million euros ($58 million) and was found following a police crackdown sparked by the discovery of a similar shipment in Genoa in May.

Investigators believe the IS group planned to sell the tablets to its foot soldiers for the equivalent of two euros a tablet.

&quot;According to the information shared with foreign investigative sources, the traffic of Tramadol is directly handled by IS to finance terrorist activities planned and carried out across the world,&quot; the court in the southern city of Reggio Calabria said.

Part of the money raised from the sales would also go &quot;to subsidise terrorist groups and extremists operating in Libya, Syria, and Iraq,&quot; it said in a statement.

The court said the seizure had been possible thanks in part to the DEA, the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ties between IS, mafia?&nbsp;

&quot;Everything passes through Gioia Tauro, we can&#39;t really be surprised to uncover trafficking of this type of drug,&quot; prosecutor Gaetano Paci told La Repubblica daily.

But investigators said it suggested ties between the mafia and the IS: it is impossible to smuggle goods through the port without the agreement of the powerful &#39;Ndrangheta organised crime group, which has a steely grip on the zone.

&quot;We&#39;ve known about dealings between the &#39;Ndrangheta and organisations in the Middle East for a while,&quot; Paci said.

&quot;Although the port has become a less of a &#39;safe zone&#39; for clans due to investigative pressures, we have identified several different &#39;Ndrangheta families that seem involved in trafficking with Middle East organisations,&quot; he said.

Renzo Nisi, a financial police captain involved in the May operation in Genoa, said Tramadol, a powerful painkiller, &quot;is produced extremely cheaply in India and Pakistan&quot;.

&quot;The pills are used by fighters, terrorists, but by others too because they lower fatigue levels. You need to take four to five a day to get the results,&quot; he told Italian media.

Dependence on the drug, which is also used by Boko Haram fighters in Nigeria, has become a serious social problem in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

IS lost its de facto capital Raqa in Syria last month, and its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul earlier this year, but experts fear jihadists&nbsp;and their drug trade&nbsp;will simply move on to new havens.

The United States said in October that it is considering a stepped-up military presence in North, West and East Africa, where fighters are believed to have relocated.

?Italian police have seized 50 million euros worth of tablets of a synthetic opiate destined to be sold by the Islamic State (IS) group in Libya to raise funds for attacks, a court said Friday.

Italian police have seized 50 million euros worth of tablets of a synthetic opiate destined to be sold by the Islamic State (IS) group in Libya to raise funds for attacks, a court said Friday. Financial police discovered over 24 million Tramadol tablets being transported from India to Libya at the port of Gioia Tauro in southern Italy. The painkiller has been described as the "fighter drug" as it is known to be popular among jihadists for its ability to dull pain and suppress fatigue. The haul is estimated to be worth 50 million euros ($58 million) and was found following a police crackdown sparked by the discovery of a similar shipment in Genoa in May. Investigators believe the IS group planned to sell the tablets to its foot soldiers for the equivalent of two euros a tablet. "According to the information shared with foreign investigative sources, the traffic of Tramadol is directly handled by IS to finance terrorist activities planned and carried out across the world," the court in the southern city of Reggio Calabria said. Part of the money raised from the sales would also go "to subsidise terrorist groups and extremists operating in Libya, Syria, and Iraq," it said in a statement. The court said the seizure had been possible thanks in part to the DEA, the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Ties between IS, mafia? "Everything passes through Gioia Tauro, we can't really be surprised to uncover trafficking of this type of drug," prosecutor Gaetano Paci told La Repubblica daily. But investigators said it suggested ties between the mafia and the IS: it is impossible to smuggle goods through the port without the agreement of the powerful 'Ndrangheta organised crime group, which has a steely grip on the zone. "We've known about dealings between the 'Ndrangheta and organisations in the Middle East for a while," Paci said. "Although the port has become a less of a 'safe zone' for clans due to investigative pressures, we have identified several different 'Ndrangheta families that seem involved in trafficking with Middle East organisations," he said. Renzo Nisi, a financial police captain involved in the May operation in Genoa, said Tramadol, a powerful painkiller, "is produced extremely cheaply in India and Pakistan". "The pills are used by fighters, terrorists, but by others too because they lower fatigue levels. You need to take four to five a day to get the results," he told Italian media. Dependence on the drug, which is also used by Boko Haram fighters in Nigeria, has become a serious social problem in parts of Africa and the Middle East. IS lost its de facto capital Raqa in Syria last month, and its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul earlier this year, but experts fear jihadists and their drug trade will simply move on to new havens. The United States said in October that it is considering a stepped-up military presence in North, West and East Africa, where fighters are believed to have relocated.

Italian police seize painkillers worth $50 million allegedly sourced by Indian firm to ISIS

A government based in eastern&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;said on Wednesday it would bar entry to US&nbsp;citizens after President Donald Trump&#39;s administration included&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;in a new travel ban.

The eastern-based government of Abdullah al-Thinni is aligned with&nbsp;Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar and is opposed to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.

Announcing its ban, the eastern-based government said it was responding to &quot;a dangerous escalation that targets&nbsp;Libyan citizens and puts them in the same basket as the terrorists against whom our... armed forces are fighting&quot;.

President Donald Trump's administration included?Libya?in a new travel ban

A government based in eastern Libya said on Wednesday it would bar entry to US citizens after President Donald Trump's administration included Libya in a new travel ban. The eastern-based government of Abdullah al-Thinni is aligned with Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar and is opposed to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. Announcing its ban, the eastern-based government said it was responding to "a dangerous escalation that targets Libyan citizens and puts them in the same basket as the terrorists against whom our... armed forces are fighting".

East Libyan government issues retaliatory entry ban against US citizens

Migrants&nbsp;rescued&nbsp;in the Mediterranean last week said they had been&nbsp;lucky&nbsp;to&nbsp;dodge&nbsp;increased sea and police patrols along the Western coast of Libya that have dramatically reduced arrivals in Italy since July.

Last month, Reuters reported that an armed group was stopping departures from the city of Sabratha, which had been the main springboard for smuggling for the past two years, although some boats are still getting through.

On Thursday, the Aquarius rescue ship, run by humanitarian groups SOS Mediterranee and Doctors without Borders (MSF), picked up two rubber boats carrying a total of more than 260 migrants&nbsp;who had left from Sabratha.

&quot;If you are unlucky&nbsp;they will catch you&nbsp;there are so many ships in the sea,&quot; Buba from Sierra Leone told Reuters a day after being picked up. He declined to give his last name. &quot;If you are lucky&nbsp;you make it.&quot;

Italy has led the European Union&#39;s strategy to try to bolster the capability of local authorities and especially the&nbsp;Libyan&nbsp;coast guard so that they can shut down the central Mediterranean smuggling route, now the main one to Europe.

Arrivals in Italy of&nbsp;rescued&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;fell 50 per cent in July from a year earlier and declined more than 80 percent in August -- two months that had been peak periods during the previous three years.

Overall, there have been more than 100,000 arrivals in Italy this year, a decline of more than 20 percent compared to 2016, official data show.

&quot;In the&nbsp;Libyan&nbsp;waters, at Sabratha, there are plenty of police,&quot; said Umaru, another migrant from Sierra Leone.

Using a slang word for police to describe the forces stopping the boats, Umaru said: &quot;When the karabouche (police) come they will take you to the jail. When they take you to the jail they will ask you to send money to let them free you.&quot;

The Italy-EU strategy has been strongly criticised by charity groups, including MSF because migrants&nbsp;returned to Libya by the coast guard are detained arbitrarily in filthy centers with no healthcare, little food and abusive jailers. Often they must pay a ransom for their freedom.

Noor Cornelissen, the humanitarian affairs officer on the Aquarius, said it was common to hear stories from&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;who have been repeatedly returned to Libya.

&quot;We talked to people who this has happened to, maybe two, three or even four times,&quot; she said.

&quot;They find themselves in Libya, in captivity, they have to pay ransom to get out,&quot; she said.

&quot;They tell us that at that point it&#39;s just being bought and sold, bought and sold ... whether they are being held by officials or by informal groups or even by private individuals.&quot;

Last month, Reuters reported that an armed group was stopping departures from the city of Sabratha, which had been the main springboard for smuggling for the past two years, although some boats are still getting through.

Migrants rescued in the Mediterranean last week said they had been lucky to dodge increased sea and police patrols along the Western coast of Libya that have dramatically reduced arrivals in Italy since July. Last month, Reuters reported that an armed group was stopping departures from the city of Sabratha, which had been the main springboard for smuggling for the past two years, although some boats are still getting through. On Thursday, the Aquarius rescue ship, run by humanitarian groups SOS Mediterranee and Doctors without Borders (MSF), picked up two rubber boats carrying a total of more than 260 migrants who had left from Sabratha. "If you are unlucky they will catch you there are so many ships in the sea," Buba from Sierra Leone told Reuters a day after being picked up. He declined to give his last name. "If you are lucky you make it." Italy has led the European Union's strategy to try to bolster the capability of local authorities and especially the Libyan coast guard so that they can shut down the central Mediterranean smuggling route, now the main one to Europe. Arrivals in Italy of rescued migrants fell 50 per cent in July from a year earlier and declined more than 80 percent in August -- two months that had been peak periods during the previous three years. Overall, there have been more than 100,000 arrivals in Italy this year, a decline of more than 20 percent compared to 2016, official data show. "In the Libyan waters, at Sabratha, there are plenty of police," said Umaru, another migrant from Sierra Leone. Using a slang word for police to describe the forces stopping the boats, Umaru said: "When the karabouche (police) come they will take you to the jail. When they take you to the jail they will ask you to send money to let them free you." The Italy-EU strategy has been strongly criticised by charity groups, including MSF because migrants returned to Libya by the coast guard are detained arbitrarily in filthy centers with no healthcare, little food and abusive jailers. Often they must pay a ransom for their freedom. Noor Cornelissen, the humanitarian affairs officer on the Aquarius, said it was common to hear stories from migrants who have been repeatedly returned to Libya. "We talked to people who this has happened to, maybe two, three or even four times," she said. "They find themselves in Libya, in captivity, they have to pay ransom to get out," she said. "They tell us that at that point it's just being bought and sold, bought and sold ... whether they are being held by officials or by informal groups or even by private individuals."

Rescued migrants say lucky to dodge Libyan coastal clampdown

Macron wants France to play a bigger role in coaxing Libya's factions to end the turmoil that has allowed Islamist militants to gain a foothold and migrant smugglers to flourish in the absence of a strong central government

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that he was hoping to set up so-called "hot spots" to handle asylum requests in Libya, which has seen thousands flee fighting in the country. Earlier this week, Macron chaired talks between Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj and the divided country's eastern commander Khalifa Haftar. At those talks, the two Libyans committed to a conditional ceasefire and to work towards holding elections next spring. Macron wants France to play a bigger role in coaxing Libya's factions to end the turmoil that has allowed Islamist militants to gain a foothold and migrant smugglers to flourish in the absence of a strong central government.

France's Macron eyes special 'hot spots' in Libya to handle asylum requests

Some 60 people are missing and believed drowned after the dinghy they were on sank off Libya, the International Organisation for Migration said today, citing survivor testimony.

The inflatable had been carrying 140-150 people including women when it began taking on water five hours after setting off from North Africa on Monday, according to 80 survivors who were brought to safety in Italy.

&quot;They don&#39;t know how long it was before help arrived. They clung to bits of the dinghy until it fell dark, then a boat arrived and they were rescued,&quot; IOM spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo told AFP.

The survivors were later transferred to the British military ship HMS Echo, which is currently operating in the Mediterranean as part of the EU&#39;s anti-trafficking Operation Sophia.

They were among 550 people the HMS Echo disembarked in the Italian port of Brindisi on Friday, following an intense week of rescues at sea.

With smugglers taking advantage of a spell of good weather and calm seas, more than 10,000 people were rescued from rickety boats off Libya since Sunday alone.

Nearly 77,000 migrants have landed in Italy since January, up 15 percent on the same period in 2016.

The latest deaths increase the toll of people dying attempting the crossing or missing, feared drowned, to nearly 2,100 since the beginning of 2017.&nbsp;

The inflatable had been carrying 140-150 people including women when it began taking on water five hours after setting off from North Africa on Monday

Some 60 people are missing and believed drowned after the dinghy they were on sank off Libya, the International Organisation for Migration said today, citing survivor testimony. The inflatable had been carrying 140-150 people including women when it began taking on water five hours after setting off from North Africa on Monday, according to 80 survivors who were brought to safety in Italy. "They don't know how long it was before help arrived. They clung to bits of the dinghy until it fell dark, then a boat arrived and they were rescued," IOM spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo told AFP. The survivors were later transferred to the British military ship HMS Echo, which is currently operating in the Mediterranean as part of the EU's anti-trafficking Operation Sophia. They were among 550 people the HMS Echo disembarked in the Italian port of Brindisi on Friday, following an intense week of rescues at sea. With smugglers taking advantage of a spell of good weather and calm seas, more than 10,000 people were rescued from rickety boats off Libya since Sunday alone. Nearly 77,000 migrants have landed in Italy since January, up 15 percent on the same period in 2016. The latest deaths increase the toll of people dying attempting the crossing or missing, feared drowned, to nearly 2,100 since the beginning of 2017.

60 missing feared drowned after boat sinks off Libya

East Libyan forces have targeted rival brigades with a series of air strikes in the southern region of Jufra, officials and witnesses said on Sunday, three days after dozens of their men were killed in a surprise attack on an air base.

The escalation risks reigniting warfare in Libya&#39;s central desert regions, where forces aligned with the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.

The two sides represent the main factions in a sporadic conflict between shifting alliances that have fought for power in Libya since 2014.

A resident in Jufra said LNA air strikes had caused casualties, though the number of dead and injured was unclear.

Details of Thursday&#39;s attack on Brak Al-Shati air base, about 150 miles (240 km) south of Jufra, are still emerging. It was led by the 13th Brigade, which operates under the GNA&#39;s defence minister. He was suspended on Friday pending an investigation.

The LNA says as many as 141 were killed, some of them summarily, and has pledged a forceful response. Medical and local officials said on Friday that at least 89 had died, but that the toll was incomplete.

Human Rights Watch cited a local hospital official as saying that five corpses had arrived at a local hospital with bound arms, and that six more were disfigured in a way that suggested their heads had been run over by a vehicle.

The HRW statement on Sunday also quoted an LNA soldier as saying some civilian workers were killed, and that he witnessed nine of his comrades being executed.

&quot;As they were shooting they were shouting, &#39;You apostates, you enemies of God,&#39;&quot; the soldier was quoted as saying.

A spokesman for the 13th Brigade, also known as the Third Force, has said the raid on Brak Al-Shati base was a response to attacks against another air base that it controls to the south, and that those they attacked were armed.

&quot;We carried out a rapid, surprise attack,&quot; the spokesman, Mohamed Gliwan, told Reuters by telephone. &quot;The number of their dead was high because they were like sheep in a pen.&quot;

&quot;We do not have casualties among our fighters because there was not a military confrontation ... They did not have time to fight back.&quot;

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalation.

&quot;He is particularly disturbed by the high number of fatalities as well as reports of summary executions of civilians, which, if confirmed, may constitute war crimes,&quot; spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. &nbsp;

(Reuters)

The eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli

East Libyan forces have targeted rival brigades with a series of air strikes in the southern region of Jufra, officials and witnesses said on Sunday, three days after dozens of their men were killed in a surprise attack on an air base. The escalation risks reigniting warfare in Libya's central desert regions, where forces aligned with the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. The two sides represent the main factions in a sporadic conflict between shifting alliances that have fought for power in Libya since 2014. A resident in Jufra said LNA air strikes had caused casualties, though the number of dead and injured was unclear. Details of Thursday's attack on Brak Al-Shati air base, about 150 miles (240 km) south of Jufra, are still emerging. It was led by the 13th Brigade, which operates under the GNA's defence minister. He was suspended on Friday pending an investigation. The LNA says as many as 141 were killed, some of them summarily, and has pledged a forceful response. Medical and local officials said on Friday that at least 89 had died, but that the toll was incomplete. Human Rights Watch cited a local hospital official as saying that five corpses had arrived at a local hospital with bound arms, and that six more were disfigured in a way that suggested their heads had been run over by a vehicle. The HRW statement on Sunday also quoted an LNA soldier as saying some civilian workers were killed, and that he witnessed nine of his comrades being executed. "As they were shooting they were shouting, 'You apostates, you enemies of God,'" the soldier was quoted as saying. A spokesman for the 13th Brigade, also known as the Third Force, has said the raid on Brak Al-Shati base was a response to attacks against another air base that it controls to the south, and that those they attacked were armed. "We carried out a rapid, surprise attack," the spokesman, Mohamed Gliwan, told Reuters by telephone. "The number of their dead was high because they were like sheep in a pen." "We do not have casualties among our fighters because there was not a military confrontation ... They did not have time to fight back." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalation. "He is particularly disturbed by the high number of fatalities as well as reports of summary executions of civilians, which, if confirmed, may constitute war crimes," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. (Reuters)

East Libyan Forces launch airstrikes against rival forces after airbase attack

The Italian police seized a massive quantity of tramadol pills, a synthetic opioid-like drug, from India which was headed for Libya, according to media reports.

A significant portion of the drug, used as a painkiller, finds its&nbsp;way to the Islamic State terrorists who are active in Libya, according to sources.

It is used by the Islamic&nbsp;State terrorists to build greater resilience.&nbsp;

The pills, worth $75 million, were found packed in three containers at the port of Genoa and was labelled as blankets and shampoo.

The containers were set to be loaded on a freighter headed for Misrata and Tobruk in Libya, news agency PTI quoted a report in The Times.

&quot;ISIS is making a fortune from this traffic, giving it to its fighters to make them feel no pain,&quot; the British newspaper quoted an Italian investigator as saying.

Italian police said the consignment had come from India and would have been used for two purposes: to help finance Islamist terrorism and for use by jihadist fighters as a stimulant and to heighten resistance to physical stress, the BBC reported.

Boko Haram, the Nigerian terror group, is said to feed child soldiers dates stuffed with tramadol before sending them on missions.

ISIS is already known for feeding its fighters Captagon, an amphetamine that blocks hunger, fear and fatigue.

Italian investigators traced the tramadol shipment to an Indian pharmaceuticals company, which allegedly sold the pills for $250,000 to a Dubai-based importer, which then shipped them from India to Sri Lanka where they disappeared from the freighter&#39;s documents, the report said.

(PTI)

The drug, Tramadol, is used as a painkiller

The Italian police seized a massive quantity of tramadol pills, a synthetic opioid-like drug, from India which was headed for Libya, according to media reports. A significant portion of the drug, used as a painkiller, finds its way to the Islamic State terrorists who are active in Libya, according to sources. It is used by the Islamic State terrorists to build greater resilience. The pills, worth $75 million, were found packed in three containers at the port of Genoa and was labelled as blankets and shampoo. The containers were set to be loaded on a freighter headed for Misrata and Tobruk in Libya, news agency PTI quoted a report in The Times. "ISIS is making a fortune from this traffic, giving it to its fighters to make them feel no pain," the British newspaper quoted an Italian investigator as saying. Italian police said the consignment had come from India and would have been used for two purposes: to help finance Islamist terrorism and for use by jihadist fighters as a stimulant and to heighten resistance to physical stress, the BBC reported. Boko Haram, the Nigerian terror group, is said to feed child soldiers dates stuffed with tramadol before sending them on missions. ISIS is already known for feeding its fighters Captagon, an amphetamine that blocks hunger, fear and fatigue. Italian investigators traced the tramadol shipment to an Indian pharmaceuticals company, which allegedly sold the pills for $250,000 to a Dubai-based importer, which then shipped them from India to Sri Lanka where they disappeared from the freighter's documents, the report said. (PTI)

Painkillers worth $75 million from India bound for Libya seized by Italian police

The Egyptian air force destroyed a group of vehicles that crossed into Egypt from Libya loaded with smuggled weapons, the military said on Monday.

It said on its Facebook page that 15 four-wheel-drive vehicles carrying weapons and other contraband had been destroyed in air raids over the past 48 hours.&nbsp;

A video released by the military showed jets and helicopter gunships attacking targets in the desert. The military did not say who was driving the vehicles or give details of any casualties.

In January, the interior ministry said at least eight policemen were killed when Islamist militants attacked a security checkpoint in Egypt&#39;s Western Desert.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has launched the toughest crackdown on Islamists in Egypt&#39;s modern history since toppling President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013.

The air force action came as security forces killed eight militants they identified as members of the Muslim Brotherhood in a shootout in the country&#39;s south, according to the interior ministry.

Egypt has outlawed the Brotherhood and designated it a terrorist group. The organisation maintains that its activities are peaceful and had no immediate comment.

An interior ministry statement on Monday said those killed in the south included Helmi Saad Masri, whom it described as a prominent Brotherhood leader.

The statement did not identify the exact location of the shootout but said police came under heavy gunfire while trying to approach the group and had to respond with force.

Egypt last month declared a three-month state of emergency after two church bombings claimed by Islamic State killed more than 45 people.

(Reuters)

The air force action came as security forces killed eight militants they identified as members of the Muslim Brotherhood in a shootout in the country's south, according to the interior ministry.

The Egyptian air force destroyed a group of vehicles that crossed into Egypt from Libya loaded with smuggled weapons, the military said on Monday. It said on its Facebook page that 15 four-wheel-drive vehicles carrying weapons and other contraband had been destroyed in air raids over the past 48 hours. A video released by the military showed jets and helicopter gunships attacking targets in the desert. The military did not say who was driving the vehicles or give details of any casualties. In January, the interior ministry said at least eight policemen were killed when Islamist militants attacked a security checkpoint in Egypt's Western Desert. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has launched the toughest crackdown on Islamists in Egypt's modern history since toppling President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. The air force action came as security forces killed eight militants they identified as members of the Muslim Brotherhood in a shootout in the country's south, according to the interior ministry. Egypt has outlawed the Brotherhood and designated it a terrorist group. The organisation maintains that its activities are peaceful and had no immediate comment. An interior ministry statement on Monday said those killed in the south included Helmi Saad Masri, whom it described as a prominent Brotherhood leader. The statement did not identify the exact location of the shootout but said police came under heavy gunfire while trying to approach the group and had to respond with force. Egypt last month declared a three-month state of emergency after two church bombings claimed by Islamic State killed more than 45 people. (Reuters)

Egyptian air force destroys vehicles crossing border from Libya

Some 6,000 migrants hoping to head to Europe were rescued in the Mediterranean on Friday and Saturday in dozens of frantic operations coordinated by the Italian coastguard.

Some 3,000 were picked up Saturday by the navy, coastguard, EU border agency Frontex and several NGOs, the coastguard said in a statement.&nbsp;

Some of them have already been taken to shore in Italy while others, including 730 onboard a ship operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), were on their way.

The Libyan coastguard told AFP it had picked up around 170 migrants off Tripoli on Saturday, but had failed to rescue others &quot;due to a lack of means&quot;.

The rescues came a day after around 3,000 others were found floating in rubber boats and on makeshift rafts after having left Libya, heading towards Italy.&nbsp;

The International Organization for Migration meanwhile said fishermen had rescued 371 migrants Friday off the coast of the Libyan town of Zuwara.

Italy and Libya have moved to boost cooperation in recent months in order to cut the number of people risking their lives by attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing.&nbsp;

The Italian government said in a deal signed with Libya in February that it would offer manpower as well as technical assistance to the Libyan coastguard.

Rome said this week that it had delivered two speedboats to Libya at the end of last month, with eight more due by the end of June.

Some 37,000 people, many of them sub-Saharan Africans, have arrived in Italy from Libya since the start of the year -- a figure some thirty per cent higher than a year earlier, according to the Italian interior ministry.

More than 4,500 migrants died or were missing and feared drowned in 2016, and another 1,000 have met the same fate this year.

(AFP)

Some 37,000 people, many of them sub-Saharan Africans, have arrived in Italy from Libya since the start of the year -- a figure some thirty per cent higher than a year earlier.

Some 6,000 migrants hoping to head to Europe were rescued in the Mediterranean on Friday and Saturday in dozens of frantic operations coordinated by the Italian coastguard. Some 3,000 were picked up Saturday by the navy, coastguard, EU border agency Frontex and several NGOs, the coastguard said in a statement. Some of them have already been taken to shore in Italy while others, including 730 onboard a ship operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), were on their way. The Libyan coastguard told AFP it had picked up around 170 migrants off Tripoli on Saturday, but had failed to rescue others "due to a lack of means". The rescues came a day after around 3,000 others were found floating in rubber boats and on makeshift rafts after having left Libya, heading towards Italy. The International Organization for Migration meanwhile said fishermen had rescued 371 migrants Friday off the coast of the Libyan town of Zuwara. Italy and Libya have moved to boost cooperation in recent months in order to cut the number of people risking their lives by attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing. The Italian government said in a deal signed with Libya in February that it would offer manpower as well as technical assistance to the Libyan coastguard. Rome said this week that it had delivered two speedboats to Libya at the end of last month, with eight more due by the end of June. Some 37,000 people, many of them sub-Saharan Africans, have arrived in Italy from Libya since the start of the year -- a figure some thirty per cent higher than a year earlier, according to the Italian interior ministry. More than 4,500 migrants died or were missing and feared drowned in 2016, and another 1,000 have met the same fate this year. (AFP)

6,000 migrants rescued in Mediterranean in last two days

Five migrants were found dead in the sea off Libya on Thursday after the boats they were travelling in sank, likely carrying hundreds more to their deaths, an aid organisation said.

Proactiva Open Arms, one of several groups operating in the area, said it was notified that an inflatable boat was sinking early on Thursday and found another going down shortly afterwards.

&quot;We brought on board five corpses recovered from the sea, but no lives. It is a harsh reality check of the suffering here that is invisible in Europe,&quot; the group wrote on Facebook.

Given the size of the boats, which are often packed with people by smugglers in Libya, there were probably more than 100 people in each, Proactiva spokeswoman Laura Lanuza said.

A spokesman for Italy&#39;s coast guard, which coordinates and participates in rescues, confirmed the five bodies were on board Proactiva&#39;s ship, the Golfo Azzurro, which he said would remain in the area in case of any emergency calls.

A rising number of migrants is attempting to cross the central Mediterranean this year after a deal between the European Union and Turkey largely shut down a route to Greece.

A total of 559 deaths have been recorded in the Mediterranean so far this year, according to the International Organisation for Migration. About 5,000 were recorded for the whole of 2016.

(Reuters)

A total of 559 deaths have been recorded in the Mediterranean so far this year

Five migrants were found dead in the sea off Libya on Thursday after the boats they were travelling in sank, likely carrying hundreds more to their deaths, an aid organisation said. Proactiva Open Arms, one of several groups operating in the area, said it was notified that an inflatable boat was sinking early on Thursday and found another going down shortly afterwards. "We brought on board five corpses recovered from the sea, but no lives. It is a harsh reality check of the suffering here that is invisible in Europe," the group wrote on Facebook. Given the size of the boats, which are often packed with people by smugglers in Libya, there were probably more than 100 people in each, Proactiva spokeswoman Laura Lanuza said. A spokesman for Italy's coast guard, which coordinates and participates in rescues, confirmed the five bodies were on board Proactiva's ship, the Golfo Azzurro, which he said would remain in the area in case of any emergency calls. A rising number of migrants is attempting to cross the central Mediterranean this year after a deal between the European Union and Turkey largely shut down a route to Greece. A total of 559 deaths have been recorded in the Mediterranean so far this year, according to the International Organisation for Migration. About 5,000 were recorded for the whole of 2016. (Reuters)

Five dead as boat capsizes in sea off Libya

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Fayez al-Sarraj, leader of the UN-backed government of Lybia&#39;s Tripoli, met in Moscow on Thursday. They discussed the possible role of mediator that Russia could have in the war-torn north African Country.&nbsp;

According to a statement issued by minister Lavrov, the dialogue was focused on the necessity to re-unite Lybia and the possible ways to do it.&nbsp;

Lybia is currently a divided country, &#39;hostage&#39; of a power struggle between several factions.&nbsp;

Moscow declared to be ready to mediate between the rivals in order to find a common solution and bring back peace in a strategically oil and gas-rich country. &quot;Moscow confirmed its readiness to work closely with all sides in Libya with the aim of seeking mutually acceptable solutions to create the grounds for the stable development of Libya as a united, sovereign and independent state,&quot; the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

The Libyan political delegation had been accompanied by officials representing the National Oil Corporation and the defense ministry.&nbsp;

Al-Seraj&#39;s major rival is Khalifa Aftar, a military commander who enjoys support by many factions active in the east of the country. Seraj visit to Moscow could be seen as an effort to overcome this rivalry which is paralysing Lybia.&nbsp;

This is also part of a renewed Russian activism in the international scenario. The country is also fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against several rebel groups and terrorist organisations controlling significant swathes of territory. &nbsp;

Moscow&#39;s activism has not been welcomed by the US which are currently supporting a number of groups active within the so called Free Syrian Army, an organisation currently fighting against Bashar al-Assad. &nbsp;

Seraj&#39;s office quoted him as saying that Russia could play a positive role in Libya &quot;thanks to its ties with various Libyan parties.&quot; &quot;The passage of time does not allow for the political maneuvers that (some) Libyan groups are trying to play,&quot; Seraj&#39;s office said.&nbsp;

&quot;The Russian side stressed the need for an inclusive intra-Libyan dialogue aimed at setting up unified organs of power, including an army and police force capable of maintaining security and law and order and of effectively countering a terrorist threat,&quot; it said.&nbsp;

Lavrov and Seraj had also discussed the progress of the U.N.-sponsored reconciliation dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov met with Prime Minister Fayez Seraj in Moscow on Thursday

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Fayez al-Sarraj, leader of the UN-backed government of Lybia's Tripoli, met in Moscow on Thursday. They discussed the possible role of mediator that Russia could have in the war-torn north African Country. According to a statement issued by minister Lavrov, the dialogue was focused on the necessity to re-unite Lybia and the possible ways to do it. Lybia is currently a divided country, 'hostage' of a power struggle between several factions. Moscow declared to be ready to mediate between the rivals in order to find a common solution and bring back peace in a strategically oil and gas-rich country. "Moscow confirmed its readiness to work closely with all sides in Libya with the aim of seeking mutually acceptable solutions to create the grounds for the stable development of Libya as a united, sovereign and independent state," the ministry said in a statement. The Libyan political delegation had been accompanied by officials representing the National Oil Corporation and the defense ministry. Al-Seraj's major rival is Khalifa Aftar, a military commander who enjoys support by many factions active in the east of the country. Seraj visit to Moscow could be seen as an effort to overcome this rivalry which is paralysing Lybia. This is also part of a renewed Russian activism in the international scenario. The country is also fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against several rebel groups and terrorist organisations controlling significant swathes of territory. Moscow's activism has not been welcomed by the US which are currently supporting a number of groups active within the so called Free Syrian Army, an organisation currently fighting against Bashar al-Assad. Seraj's office quoted him as saying that Russia could play a positive role in Libya "thanks to its ties with various Libyan parties." "The passage of time does not allow for the political maneuvers that (some) Libyan groups are trying to play," Seraj's office said. "The Russian side stressed the need for an inclusive intra-Libyan dialogue aimed at setting up unified organs of power, including an army and police force capable of maintaining security and law and order and of effectively countering a terrorist threat," it said. Lavrov and Seraj had also discussed the progress of the U.N.-sponsored reconciliation dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Russia tells Libyan PM it is ready to help unify his divided country

Dr K &nbsp;Ramamurthy, who was freed after being captured in Libya by the IS&nbsp;two years ago, said here after his release that the dreaded terrorist organisation is very much &quot;interested&quot; in India and wants its ideology to be spread in the country.

Speaking to ANI exclusively, Ramamurthy said that the IS is aware about India and its development in education and economy. &quot;These ISIS people are well-educated youngsters and they do know about India and its development and how it has developed in education, economy and everything else.They are interested in India. But, I did understand that they wanted to spread the ideology of their nation to other parts of the world, including India,&quot; he said.Recounting his ordeal, the doctor said that he was abused verbally, however not physically, adding that he was asked to conduct surgeries in their hospitals.

Talking about IS cruelty he went on to say, &quot;IS people forced us to watch videos of what they did to Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and other places. It was bit difficult to watch them.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too&#39;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too' " target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

&quot;In a camp in the city, they requested me to come and work in their hospitals. But since I was 61 then I had back pain and right leg nerve pain. I told them I was an old man and I couldn`t stand for more than 15 minutes at a stretch. I told them I am medically trained, not surgically trained. So they pulled me out of the Mahakama jail and put in another. I saw all kinds of attacks there,&quot; the doctor said.

Talking about the cadres of the terror group, Ramamurthy added that all the members of the outfit were extremely dedicated towards their organisation and were strictly following each and every rule.

&quot;The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too,&quot; he said.

The doctor went on the thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi, the National Security Advisor, the team of the officials worked for his release from IS.

&quot;I am so thankful to our Prime Minister and his team and other officials from the Indian Embassy. I`ll never ever forget this all my life. They helped me to come to the Embassy. These people worked so hard to pull me out from there,&quot; he added.

The doctor from Andhra Pradesh has been in Libya for the last 18 years and was put in jail by IS.

Indian embassy officials came to know about him and finally on February 14, he was safely taken out of Libya to Istanbul from where he reached India, and was on his way to his family in Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Dr K Ramamurthy was captured in Libya two years ago, says IS wants its ideology spread in India

Dr K Ramamurthy, who was freed after being captured in Libya by the IS two years ago, said here after his release that the dreaded terrorist organisation is very much "interested" in India and wants its ideology to be spread in the country. Speaking to ANI exclusively, Ramamurthy said that the IS is aware about India and its development in education and economy. "These ISIS people are well-educated youngsters and they do know about India and its development and how it has developed in education, economy and everything else.They are interested in India. But, I did understand that they wanted to spread the ideology of their nation to other parts of the world, including India," he said.Recounting his ordeal, the doctor said that he was abused verbally, however not physically, adding that he was asked to conduct surgeries in their hospitals. Talking about IS cruelty he went on to say, "IS people forced us to watch videos of what they did to Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and other places. It was bit difficult to watch them." The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too' × "In a camp in the city, they requested me to come and work in their hospitals. But since I was 61 then I had back pain and right leg nerve pain. I told them I was an old man and I couldn`t stand for more than 15 minutes at a stretch. I told them I am medically trained, not surgically trained. So they pulled me out of the Mahakama jail and put in another. I saw all kinds of attacks there," the doctor said. Talking about the cadres of the terror group, Ramamurthy added that all the members of the outfit were extremely dedicated towards their organisation and were strictly following each and every rule. "The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10 year old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too," he said. The doctor went on the thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi, the National Security Advisor, the team of the officials worked for his release from IS. "I am so thankful to our Prime Minister and his team and other officials from the Indian Embassy. I`ll never ever forget this all my life. They helped me to come to the Embassy. These people worked so hard to pull me out from there," he added. The doctor from Andhra Pradesh has been in Libya for the last 18 years and was put in jail by IS. Indian embassy officials came to know about him and finally on February 14, he was safely taken out of Libya to Istanbul from where he reached India, and was on his way to his family in Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)

Doctor freed from captivity: Islamic State very 'interested' in India

The US military has officially ended operations in a former Islamic State bastion in Libya, officials have announced.

The Pentagon had launched Operation Odyssey Lightning to help local forces push the jihadists from the coastal city of Sirte on August 1.

&quot;In partnership with the Libyan Government of National Accord, the operation succeeded in its core objective of enabling GNA-aligned forces to drive Daesh (IS) out of Sirte,&quot; the US military&#39;s Africa Command said in a statement.

US drones, gunships and warplanes had hammered IS positions, conducting a total of 495 strikes.

&quot;We are proud to have supported this campaign to eliminate ISIL&#39;s hold over the only city it has controlled outside Iraq and Syria,&quot; Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters, using an IS acronym.

Officials said the United States would continue to strike IS jihadists if the Libyan unity government asked for help in doing so.

Unity government leader Fayez al-Sarraj on Saturday announced that military operations in Sirte were done, but IS still has fighters in Libya and on Sunday conducted a suicide attack in Benghazi.

The fall of Sirte -- Kadhafi&#39;s home town located 450 kilometres east of Tripoli -- is a major setback for IS, which has also faced military defeats in Syria and Iraq.

Libya descended into chaos following the NATO-backed ousting of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations emerging and well-armed militias vying for control of its vast oil wealth.

(AFP)

Officials said the United States would continue to strike Islamic State jihadists if the Libyan unity government asked for help in doing so

The US military has officially ended operations in a former Islamic State bastion in Libya, officials have announced. The Pentagon had launched Operation Odyssey Lightning to help local forces push the jihadists from the coastal city of Sirte on August 1. "In partnership with the Libyan Government of National Accord, the operation succeeded in its core objective of enabling GNA-aligned forces to drive Daesh (IS) out of Sirte," the US military's Africa Command said in a statement. US drones, gunships and warplanes had hammered IS positions, conducting a total of 495 strikes. "We are proud to have supported this campaign to eliminate ISIL's hold over the only city it has controlled outside Iraq and Syria," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters, using an IS acronym. Officials said the United States would continue to strike IS jihadists if the Libyan unity government asked for help in doing so. Unity government leader Fayez al-Sarraj on Saturday announced that military operations in Sirte were done, but IS still has fighters in Libya and on Sunday conducted a suicide attack in Benghazi. The fall of Sirte -- Kadhafi's home town located 450 kilometres east of Tripoli -- is a major setback for IS, which has also faced military defeats in Syria and Iraq. Libya descended into chaos following the NATO-backed ousting of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations emerging and well-armed militias vying for control of its vast oil wealth. (AFP)

US military formally ends anti-IS operation in Libya's Sirte

Libya&#39;s prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj announced the liberation of Sirte from Islamic State on Saturday, eight months after operations began to drive out the militant group.&nbsp;

&quot;I officially announce the end of military operations and the liberation of the town&quot;, Sarraj announced, two weeks after government led forces gained control of the coastal ground.&nbsp;

Sirte was the last major territory in Islamic State&#39;s control in the country.&nbsp;

However, he warned &quot;the battle for Sirte is over but the war against terrorism in Libya is not finished,&quot; and pushed for the need to unify the different military forces into &quot;one single army&quot;.

The latest conquest will increase authority of Sarraj&#39;s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which was launched in Tripoli in March but its legitmacy is contested by a rival party in Eastern Libya.&nbsp;

The GNA is backed by western countries, in the hope it will curb&nbsp;jihadism in Libya and stop human trafficking across the Mediterranean.

The loss of Sirte is a major setback for the Islamic State group which is losing ground in Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

 
&nbsp;

In a televised address, Libya's unity government leader Fayez al-Sarraj announced the cessation of all military operations in Sirte

Libya's prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj announced the liberation of Sirte from Islamic State on Saturday, eight months after operations began to drive out the militant group. "I officially announce the end of military operations and the liberation of the town", Sarraj announced, two weeks after government led forces gained control of the coastal ground. Sirte was the last major territory in Islamic State's control in the country. However, he warned "the battle for Sirte is over but the war against terrorism in Libya is not finished," and pushed for the need to unify the different military forces into "one single army". The latest conquest will increase authority of Sarraj's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which was launched in Tripoli in March but its legitmacy is contested by a rival party in Eastern Libya. The GNA is backed by western countries, in the hope it will curb jihadism in Libya and stop human trafficking across the Mediterranean. The loss of Sirte is a major setback for the Islamic State group which is losing ground in Syria and Iraq. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Libya officially announces liberation of Sirte from IS

Libyan forces backed by US airstrikes finished clearing the last Islamic State hold-out in Sirte on Tuesday after a six-month battle for the militant group&#39;s former North African stronghold.

The forces gained full control over a final patch of ground in Sirte&#39;s Ghiza Bahriya district after fierce clashes.

Several dozen women and children who had been holed up with the militants were able to leave the ruined buildings where they had made their last stand. &nbsp;

As celebrations erupted among the Libyan forces, which are dominated by brigades from the city of Misrata, a spokesman said the military campaign would continue until the wider area was secured. Fighters fired in the air chanting &quot;Free Libya&quot; and &quot;The blood of the martyrs was not for nothing&quot;

The loss of Sirte is a major blow for Islamic State, leaving the group without any territory in Libya, though it retains an active presence in parts of the North African country.

The jihadist group took over Sirte in early 2015, turning it into their most important base outside the Middle East and moving large numbers of foreign fighters into the city.

It imposed its ultra-hardline rule on residents, and extended its control along about 250 km (155 miles) of Libya&#39;s Mediterranean coastline.

Spokesman Rida Issa said although forces had &quot;secured all the buildings and the streets&quot; in Ghiza Bahriya, this did not mean the end of the Misrata-led operation. &quot;We still need to secure the area around Sirte,&quot; he said.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: &quot;This is very good news. The defeat of Daesh (Islamic State) is a very strong act, but it can only be seen as a step ... the militias that have freed Sirte deserve to be congratulated.&quot;

Libyan and Western officials say some Islamic State fighters escaped from Sirte before the battle or in its early stages. They fear an insurgent campaign from outside the city and there have been attacks in outlying areas.

Bombers, Snipers and Mines

The Misrata-led forces counter-attacked in May after jihadists moved along the coast towards their city. The brigades, nominally aligned with a UN-backed government in Tripoli, advanced rapidly towards the centre of Sirte before suicide bombers, snipers and mines largely halted their progress. &nbsp;

More than 700 of their fighters have been killed and more than 3,200 wounded in the gruelling campaign. On Tuesday, a further three men were killed and about 50 wounded, said Mohamed Lajnef, an official at Sirte&#39;s field hospital.

He said 21 women and 31 children had been released in Ghiza Bahriya. Dozens of other women and children, some of them migrants from sub-Saharan Africa held captive by Islamic State, had escaped or had been released from militant-held ground in recent days.

Since August 1, the United States has carried out at least 495 airstrikes against Islamic State in Sirte.

Five years after the revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi Libya remains in turmoil.&nbsp;

The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) that arrived in Tripoli in March and supported the campaign in Sirte has made little progress in ending the chaos.

Sirte lies in a strategic position about halfway along Libya&#39;s coastline, near some of the country&#39;s major oil fields and terminals. Close to Gaddafi&#39;s birthplace, it is the city where he was shot and killed after ruling Libya for 42 years.

Almost all of Sirte&#39;s estimated population of 80,000 fled the city since Islamic State took over.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The loss of Sirte is a major blow for Islamic State, leaving the group without any territory in Libya

Libyan forces backed by US airstrikes finished clearing the last Islamic State hold-out in Sirte on Tuesday after a six-month battle for the militant group's former North African stronghold. The forces gained full control over a final patch of ground in Sirte's Ghiza Bahriya district after fierce clashes. Several dozen women and children who had been holed up with the militants were able to leave the ruined buildings where they had made their last stand. As celebrations erupted among the Libyan forces, which are dominated by brigades from the city of Misrata, a spokesman said the military campaign would continue until the wider area was secured. Fighters fired in the air chanting "Free Libya" and "The blood of the martyrs was not for nothing" The loss of Sirte is a major blow for Islamic State, leaving the group without any territory in Libya, though it retains an active presence in parts of the North African country. The jihadist group took over Sirte in early 2015, turning it into their most important base outside the Middle East and moving large numbers of foreign fighters into the city. It imposed its ultra-hardline rule on residents, and extended its control along about 250 km (155 miles) of Libya's Mediterranean coastline. Spokesman Rida Issa said although forces had "secured all the buildings and the streets" in Ghiza Bahriya, this did not mean the end of the Misrata-led operation. "We still need to secure the area around Sirte," he said. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: "This is very good news. The defeat of Daesh (Islamic State) is a very strong act, but it can only be seen as a step ... the militias that have freed Sirte deserve to be congratulated." Libyan and Western officials say some Islamic State fighters escaped from Sirte before the battle or in its early stages. They fear an insurgent campaign from outside the city and there have been attacks in outlying areas. Bombers, Snipers and Mines The Misrata-led forces counter-attacked in May after jihadists moved along the coast towards their city. The brigades, nominally aligned with a UN-backed government in Tripoli, advanced rapidly towards the centre of Sirte before suicide bombers, snipers and mines largely halted their progress. More than 700 of their fighters have been killed and more than 3,200 wounded in the gruelling campaign. On Tuesday, a further three men were killed and about 50 wounded, said Mohamed Lajnef, an official at Sirte's field hospital. He said 21 women and 31 children had been released in Ghiza Bahriya. Dozens of other women and children, some of them migrants from sub-Saharan Africa held captive by Islamic State, had escaped or had been released from militant-held ground in recent days. Since August 1, the United States has carried out at least 495 airstrikes against Islamic State in Sirte. Five years after the revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi Libya remains in turmoil. The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) that arrived in Tripoli in March and supported the campaign in Sirte has made little progress in ending the chaos. Sirte lies in a strategic position about halfway along Libya's coastline, near some of the country's major oil fields and terminals. Close to Gaddafi's birthplace, it is the city where he was shot and killed after ruling Libya for 42 years. Almost all of Sirte's estimated population of 80,000 fled the city since Islamic State took over. (Reuters)

Islamic state 'ousted' from Libyan stronghold of Sirte

Islamic State 'ousted' from Libyan stronghold of Sirte

More than 20 people were killed in fighting this week between rival tribes in southern Libya, a medical official said Sunday, in violence reportedly sparked by an incident involving a monkey.

The cause of the fighting was unclear, but Libyan media said it erupted after a monkey belonging to one tribe attacked a child from the other camp.

Witnesses said several homes were hit by rockets and shells in the confrontation.

Nasser al-Jehimi, of the medical centre in Sebha, said 21 people were killed and around 100 others injured in clashes since Tuesday in the city between Awled Suleiman tribal members and the Guedadfa tribe of Libya&#39;s toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

The casualty toll was for the Awed Suleiman tribe alone, as information was not immediately available from another hospital being used for their rivals.

There was no official confirmation of the report.

Salah Badr, a member of Sebha city council, declined to give specifics but noted that relations between the two tribes had been strained for many years.

&quot;A minor incident sparked the fire,&quot; he told AFP.

Since the downfall of Kadhafi in Libya&#39;s 2011 revolution, the country has been riven by deadly unrest and political divisions.

Regular inter-tribal clashes in Sebha have left several dozen people dead.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The clashes reportedly erupted after a monkey belonging to one tribe attacked a child from the other camp

More than 20 people were killed in fighting this week between rival tribes in southern Libya, a medical official said Sunday, in violence reportedly sparked by an incident involving a monkey. The cause of the fighting was unclear, but Libyan media said it erupted after a monkey belonging to one tribe attacked a child from the other camp. Witnesses said several homes were hit by rockets and shells in the confrontation. Nasser al-Jehimi, of the medical centre in Sebha, said 21 people were killed and around 100 others injured in clashes since Tuesday in the city between Awled Suleiman tribal members and the Guedadfa tribe of Libya's toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The casualty toll was for the Awed Suleiman tribe alone, as information was not immediately available from another hospital being used for their rivals. There was no official confirmation of the report. Salah Badr, a member of Sebha city council, declined to give specifics but noted that relations between the two tribes had been strained for many years. "A minor incident sparked the fire," he told AFP. Since the downfall of Kadhafi in Libya's 2011 revolution, the country has been riven by deadly unrest and political divisions. Regular inter-tribal clashes in Sebha have left several dozen people dead. (AFP)

More than 20 dead as rival tribes clash over a 'minor incident' in Libya

Two Italians and a Canadian who were kidnapped in the south of conflict-torn Libya in September have been released and flown to Italy, the Italian government announced Saturday.

The Italians, Danilo Calonego and Bruno Cacace, and Canadian Frank Poccia were freed during the night &quot;due to the effective cooperation with local Libyan authorities,&quot; it said in a statement.

The three men were kidnapped in September in Ghat, close to the Algerian border, where they worked for an Italian company that carried out maintenance at the airport. An armed group blocked their vehicle.

Several Italian companies are present in Libya, a former colony, and their expat staff have often fallen prey to kidnappers in recent years.

In July 2015, four Italians working for a construction company were kidnapped near an oil field operated by Italian giant ENI in the region of Mellitah, west of Tripoli.

Two of the hostages were killed six months into their ordeal, likely in clashes between jihadists and local militiamen.

The other two were freed in March this year, in a raid on Islamic State group hideouts near the capital.

Chaos has engulfed Libya since the 2011 NATO-backed ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. &nbsp;

(AFP)

The Italians, Danilo Calonego and Bruno Cacace, and Canadian Frank Poccia were freed during the night by Libyan authorities

Two Italians and a Canadian who were kidnapped in the south of conflict-torn Libya in September have been released and flown to Italy, the Italian government announced Saturday. The Italians, Danilo Calonego and Bruno Cacace, and Canadian Frank Poccia were freed during the night "due to the effective cooperation with local Libyan authorities," it said in a statement. The three men were kidnapped in September in Ghat, close to the Algerian border, where they worked for an Italian company that carried out maintenance at the airport. An armed group blocked their vehicle. Several Italian companies are present in Libya, a former colony, and their expat staff have often fallen prey to kidnappers in recent years. In July 2015, four Italians working for a construction company were kidnapped near an oil field operated by Italian giant ENI in the region of Mellitah, west of Tripoli. Two of the hostages were killed six months into their ordeal, likely in clashes between jihadists and local militiamen. The other two were freed in March this year, in a raid on Islamic State group hideouts near the capital. Chaos has engulfed Libya since the 2011 NATO-backed ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. (AFP)

Italy government: Kidnapped Italians, Canadians released in Libya

At least four people were killed and 14 wounded in a car explosion in Libya&#39;s eastern city of Benghazi on Saturday.

The head of an anti-corruption body, Mohamed Bugaighis, was among those killed in the attack in the city&#39;s central Keesh district, officials aid, news agency Reuters reported.

Bugaighis was a supporter of the Libyan National Army (LNA). The LNA has been carrying on with a military campaign against Islamists in Benghazi.

A witness told Reuters the explosion happened close to Bugaighis as he was leaving his car to visit a cafe he frequented.

Although the city is not under the control of the Khalifa Haftar-led army, his forces siezed several key neighbourhoods earlier this year.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The head of an anti-corruption body, Mohamed Bugaighis, was among those killed in the attack in the city's central Keesh district

At least four people were killed and 14 wounded in a car explosion in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi on Saturday. The head of an anti-corruption body, Mohamed Bugaighis, was among those killed in the attack in the city's central Keesh district, officials aid, news agency Reuters reported. Bugaighis was a supporter of the Libyan National Army (LNA). The LNA has been carrying on with a military campaign against Islamists in Benghazi. A witness told Reuters the explosion happened close to Bugaighis as he was leaving his car to visit a cafe he frequented. Although the city is not under the control of the Khalifa Haftar-led army, his forces siezed several key neighbourhoods earlier this year. (With inputs from Reuters)

Car blast kills at least four in central Benghazi

Libyan forces have released 13 female hostages from the Islamic State&#39;s&nbsp;hold in Sirte, a pro-government forces spokesman said.&nbsp;

The women were freed after the government forces recaptured a part of Sirte held by the IS on Saturday. Eleven women were Eritrean, one was a Turk and the other was Egyptian.&nbsp;

Rida Issa, a spokesman for the forces, told Reuters, &quot;The forces have completely recaptured the 600 block area in Sirte from gangs of Daesh (Islamic State), and now the Ghiza Bahriya area is the last pocket of resistance&quot;&nbsp;

Sirte is IS&#39; major stronghold outside of Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;The city was claimed by the militant group more than a year ago profiting from Libya&#39;s political instability.

After six months of fighting, backed by US air strikes, the pro-government forces managed to take back most of the city. According to Reuters, some militants fled the city before it was besieged.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Eleven women belonged to Eritrea, one was a Turk and the other was an Egyptian

Libyan forces have released 13 female hostages from the Islamic State's hold in Sirte, a pro-government forces spokesman said. The women were freed after the government forces recaptured a part of Sirte held by the IS on Saturday. Eleven women were Eritrean, one was a Turk and the other was Egyptian. Rida Issa, a spokesman for the forces, told Reuters, "The forces have completely recaptured the 600 block area in Sirte from gangs of Daesh (Islamic State), and now the Ghiza Bahriya area is the last pocket of resistance" Sirte is IS' major stronghold outside of Syria and Iraq. The city was claimed by the militant group more than a year ago profiting from Libya's political instability. After six months of fighting, backed by US air strikes, the pro-government forces managed to take back most of the city. According to Reuters, some militants fled the city before it was besieged. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Sirte: Libyan forces free 13 women from Islamic State captivity

Horrific scenes unfolded in the Mediterranean off Libya Saturday as a full-to-capacity rescue ship was forced to sail away from desperate migrants trying to swim towards the rescuers.&nbsp;

In a 24-long rescue operation, the crew of the Norwegian Siem Pilot and another aid boat pulled 14 dead bodies from the water and rescued around 2,400 migrants, according to the Italian coast guard.&nbsp;

The rescuers had limited resources as they struggled to rescue panicked migrants in the dark. &quot;I&#39;ve never had a SAR (search and rescue) like it. We were in the process of transferring 1,000 migrants from the Okyroe (tanker) to the Siem Pilot when suddenly, in the dark, rubber boats appeared. It looked hopeless,&quot; said Pal Erik Teigen, the police officer in charge of the rescue operation.

25 migrants aboard the rubber boats in an attempt to reach the ship, Siem Pilot, which was already full to capacity, threw themselves into the water to swim towards the vessel. With migrants crying out for help, the captain was forced to pull back to deter others on the dinghy from doing the same.&nbsp;

The migrants were transferred onto the tanker to await rescue by another vessel, while the Medecins Sans Frontieres charity&#39;s Dignity vessel picked up the dead. &quot;It was chaos on the tanker. They were pushing us towards the only way off the boat, coming from everywhere and pushing for lifejackets, arguing over them,&quot; said Jan Erik Valen, an intelligence officer and crew member who provided security for the operation.&nbsp;

&quot;Then they came up from behind us and we had to call for back-up. Other police officers from the Siem Pilot joined us with riot shields... we were banging our sticks on pipes to make a lot of noise, and we had to hit a few of them.&quot;&nbsp;

Many of the migrants fainted during the rescue mission and had to be dragged on board the ship. Others sat in tight rows on the bridge of the ship, with only a thin sheet of webbing to protect them from the baking sun. Among the migrants were several young children, as well as entire families and some unaccompanied teenagers.

The operation was just one part of a massive effort underway in the Mediterranean to rescue desperate migrants making the perilous journey to Europe. The number of migrants attempting the journey has increased in recent weeks to land in Europe before the treacherous winter conditions.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

At least 14 migrants drown in the Mediterranean during a dramatic rescue mission that saved thousands

Horrific scenes unfolded in the Mediterranean off Libya Saturday as a full-to-capacity rescue ship was forced to sail away from desperate migrants trying to swim towards the rescuers. In a 24-long rescue operation, the crew of the Norwegian Siem Pilot and another aid boat pulled 14 dead bodies from the water and rescued around 2,400 migrants, according to the Italian coast guard. The rescuers had limited resources as they struggled to rescue panicked migrants in the dark. "I've never had a SAR (search and rescue) like it. We were in the process of transferring 1,000 migrants from the Okyroe (tanker) to the Siem Pilot when suddenly, in the dark, rubber boats appeared. It looked hopeless," said Pal Erik Teigen, the police officer in charge of the rescue operation. 25 migrants aboard the rubber boats in an attempt to reach the ship, Siem Pilot, which was already full to capacity, threw themselves into the water to swim towards the vessel. With migrants crying out for help, the captain was forced to pull back to deter others on the dinghy from doing the same. The migrants were transferred onto the tanker to await rescue by another vessel, while the Medecins Sans Frontieres charity's Dignity vessel picked up the dead. "It was chaos on the tanker. They were pushing us towards the only way off the boat, coming from everywhere and pushing for lifejackets, arguing over them," said Jan Erik Valen, an intelligence officer and crew member who provided security for the operation. "Then they came up from behind us and we had to call for back-up. Other police officers from the Siem Pilot joined us with riot shields... we were banging our sticks on pipes to make a lot of noise, and we had to hit a few of them." Many of the migrants fainted during the rescue mission and had to be dragged on board the ship. Others sat in tight rows on the bridge of the ship, with only a thin sheet of webbing to protect them from the baking sun. Among the migrants were several young children, as well as entire families and some unaccompanied teenagers. The operation was just one part of a massive effort underway in the Mediterranean to rescue desperate migrants making the perilous journey to Europe. The number of migrants attempting the journey has increased in recent weeks to land in Europe before the treacherous winter conditions. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Italian coast guard rescues 2,400 migrants off Libya

Oil prices went up today by almost 2 per cent after Venezuela said OPEC and non-OPEC producers were close to reaching an output stabilising deal.&nbsp; 
 
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that a deal could be announced this month to stabilise oil markets which has been under pressure due to surplus and a price collapse over the past two years., international news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
 
Brent crude futures were at $46.59 per barrel, up 82 Cents or 1.8 per cent at 0301 GMT. While US crude was up 88 cents or 2 per cent at $43.91 a barrel. 
 
Ric Spooner, CMC Markets&#39; chief market analyst said that the rise in oil prices is a reaction to Venezuelan comments about producers reaching a possible output agreement.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;(Libya) unable to get their first ship loaded is a reminder that it may be difficult for Libya to increase production,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
The loading of the first oil cargo from Ras Lanuf was stopped due to the clashes in Libya, raising fears of a new conflict over Libya&#39;s oil resources. 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that a deal could be announced this month to stabilise oil markets

Oil prices went up today by almost 2 per cent after Venezuela said OPEC and non-OPEC producers were close to reaching an output stabilising deal. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that a deal could be announced this month to stabilise oil markets which has been under pressure due to surplus and a price collapse over the past two years., international news agency Reuters reported. Brent crude futures were at $46.59 per barrel, up 82 Cents or 1.8 per cent at 0301 GMT. While US crude was up 88 cents or 2 per cent at $43.91 a barrel. Ric Spooner, CMC Markets' chief market analyst said that the rise in oil prices is a reaction to Venezuelan comments about producers reaching a possible output agreement. "(Libya) unable to get their first ship loaded is a reminder that it may be difficult for Libya to increase production," he added. The loading of the first oil cargo from Ras Lanuf was stopped due to the clashes in Libya, raising fears of a new conflict over Libya's oil resources. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Oil prices rise as Venezuela sees output deal

A spokesman for forces led by a controversial Libyan general said on Sunday that they had seized two key oil export terminals in the country&#39;s east. 
 
General Khalifa Haftar&#39;s forces took control of the Al-Sidra and Ras Lanuf ports, the LANA news agency loyal to Libya&#39;s internationally recognised parliament reported Colonel Ahmad Mesmari as saying. 
 
Haftar, one of the most powerful military figures in Libya, has refused to endorse a UN-backed national unity government and remains loyal to the rival administration based in the east of the country.&nbsp; 
 
Haftar&#39;s forces took the Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra terminals, together capable of handling 700,000 barrels of oil per day, from installation guards loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNA). 
 
&quot;Clashes are now ongoing near the Zuwaytina port&quot; further east, Mesmari said. 
 
The oil-rich area around Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra is seen as a vital source of income for the GNA and key to the economy of the North African country. 
 
In late July, the oil installation guards announced the reopening of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra ports after an agreement with the GNA to resume oil exports. 
 
The ports had been closed for months following attacks by the jihadist Islamic State group in January. 
 
IS has taken advantage of the turmoil in Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias vying for control of the country. 
 
A UN-brokered deal in December led to the GNA starting to work in Tripoli, but it has since struggled to assert its authority over the country. 
 
(AFP)

Genera Haftar's forces took the Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra terminals, together capable of handling 700,000 barrels of oil per day

A spokesman for forces led by a controversial Libyan general said on Sunday that they had seized two key oil export terminals in the country's east. General Khalifa Haftar's forces took control of the Al-Sidra and Ras Lanuf ports, the LANA news agency loyal to Libya's internationally recognised parliament reported Colonel Ahmad Mesmari as saying. Haftar, one of the most powerful military figures in Libya, has refused to endorse a UN-backed national unity government and remains loyal to the rival administration based in the east of the country. Haftar's forces took the Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra terminals, together capable of handling 700,000 barrels of oil per day, from installation guards loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNA). "Clashes are now ongoing near the Zuwaytina port" further east, Mesmari said. The oil-rich area around Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra is seen as a vital source of income for the GNA and key to the economy of the North African country. In late July, the oil installation guards announced the reopening of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra ports after an agreement with the GNA to resume oil exports. The ports had been closed for months following attacks by the jihadist Islamic State group in January. IS has taken advantage of the turmoil in Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias vying for control of the country. A UN-brokered deal in December led to the GNA starting to work in Tripoli, but it has since struggled to assert its authority over the country. (AFP)

General's forces seize key Libya oil terminals: Spokesman

The Italian coastguard on Monday rescued around 6,500 migrants off the coast of Libya in an operation that had as many as 700 people crammed onto one fishing boat. 
 
Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which was part of the operations, informed that a five-day-old baby was among those rescued and was airlifted to an Italian hospital. 
 
Vessels from Italy&rsquo;s humanitarian organisations as well as EU&#39;s border agency Frontex were involved in the operations. 
 
More than 1,100 migrants were rescued in the same area on Sunday.&nbsp; 
 
According to the UN&rsquo;s refugee agency and the coastguard, a total of 112,500 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year against last year&rsquo;s 116,000 up to August. 
 
Most of these are from West Africa and the Horn of Africa, often departing from Libya.&nbsp; 
 
The Italian coastguard is expecting more migrant boats soon, given the favourable weather conditions. 
 
Vessels run by humanitarian groups often patrol the waters off the Libyan coast, but rival factions are now trying to control migrant trafficking. 
 
More than 3,000 migrants have died at sea while trying to reach either Greece or Italy&nbsp; 
this year, 50 per cent more than that in 2015. 
 
Europe recorded the arrival of 204,000 in the first six months of 2016, the UN refugee agency informed, with the continent calling it its worst migration crisis since World War II. 
 
More than a million migrants had landed in Europe last year, most fleeing war in Syria and the Middle East. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Vessels from Italy?s humanitarian organisations and EU's border agency Frontex were involved in the rescue operations

The Italian coastguard on Monday rescued around 6,500 migrants off the coast of Libya in an operation that had as many as 700 people crammed onto one fishing boat. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which was part of the operations, informed that a five-day-old baby was among those rescued and was airlifted to an Italian hospital. Vessels from Italy’s humanitarian organisations as well as EU's border agency Frontex were involved in the operations. More than 1,100 migrants were rescued in the same area on Sunday. According to the UN’s refugee agency and the coastguard, a total of 112,500 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year against last year’s 116,000 up to August. Most of these are from West Africa and the Horn of Africa, often departing from Libya. The Italian coastguard is expecting more migrant boats soon, given the favourable weather conditions. Vessels run by humanitarian groups often patrol the waters off the Libyan coast, but rival factions are now trying to control migrant trafficking. More than 3,000 migrants have died at sea while trying to reach either Greece or Italy this year, 50 per cent more than that in 2015. Europe recorded the arrival of 204,000 in the first six months of 2016, the UN refugee agency informed, with the continent calling it its worst migration crisis since World War II. More than a million migrants had landed in Europe last year, most fleeing war in Syria and the Middle East. (WION with inputs from agencies)

6,500 migrants rescued off Libya coast

Despite members of the assembly voting to reject the nascent administration, Libya&rsquo;s UN-backed government said on Wednesday that it would continue seeking approval from the parliament based in the east of the country.&nbsp; 
 
The country&rsquo;s Presidential Council also announced that it would present a new government line-up to support the parliament.&nbsp; 
 
The parliament, which rejected a previous unity government in a confidence vote on Monday, gave the council a &quot;final chance&quot; and 10 days to propose a new cabinet. 
 
The Government of National Accord (GNA), is making attempts to unite many rival factions that have divided Libya since the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and getting the support of the eastern parliament is key to the initiative. 
 
Libya&#39;s parliament, which was forced to flee to Tobruk after a coalition of militias seized Tripoli two years ago, is recognised by the international community.&nbsp; 
 
The House of Representatives has however held out with the opponents of GNA, accusing it of relying on Islamist-leaning armed groups that oppose the eastern commander Khalifa Haftar.&nbsp; 
 
The Presidential Council said it would work with political actors, civil society and the parliament to select a broad base of members for the new cabinet. 
 
Under the deal signed in December, the GNA needs to pass a confidence vote in parliament in order to take office. 
 
The parliament had &nbsp;passed a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister designate&nbsp;Fayez al-Sarraj&#39;s government, 
 
UN envoy Martin Kobler tweeted on Wednesday that he &quot;fully supports&quot; the council&#39;s statement and its decision to work with the parliament, saying it was &quot;urgent&quot; to implement the accord. 
 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The Presidential Council said it would work with political actors, civil society and the parliament to select a broad base of members

Despite members of the assembly voting to reject the nascent administration, Libya’s UN-backed government said on Wednesday that it would continue seeking approval from the parliament based in the east of the country. The country’s Presidential Council also announced that it would present a new government line-up to support the parliament. The parliament, which rejected a previous unity government in a confidence vote on Monday, gave the council a "final chance" and 10 days to propose a new cabinet. The Government of National Accord (GNA), is making attempts to unite many rival factions that have divided Libya since the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and getting the support of the eastern parliament is key to the initiative. Libya's parliament, which was forced to flee to Tobruk after a coalition of militias seized Tripoli two years ago, is recognised by the international community. The House of Representatives has however held out with the opponents of GNA, accusing it of relying on Islamist-leaning armed groups that oppose the eastern commander Khalifa Haftar. The Presidential Council said it would work with political actors, civil society and the parliament to select a broad base of members for the new cabinet. Under the deal signed in December, the GNA needs to pass a confidence vote in parliament in order to take office. The parliament had passed a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister designate Fayez al-Sarraj's government, UN envoy Martin Kobler tweeted on Wednesday that he "fully supports" the council's statement and its decision to work with the parliament, saying it was "urgent" to implement the accord. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Libya's Presidential council to come up with new cabinet to support eastern Parliament

The Danish government said on Monday it was willing to offer a container vessel, a support ship and 200 staff to an international operation to rid Libya of its chemical weapons arsenal. 
 
A maritime operation coordinated by the UN-backed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) would be led by Denmark, but other countries including Finland would also take part, it said. 
 
&quot;Denmark will once again show international responsibility by contributing very concretely to international efforts to reduce the spread of chemical weapons in the world,&quot; Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said in a statement. 
 
The Scandinavian country, which was a key player in the international operation to remove and destroy Syria&#39;s chemical arsenal in 2014, said it had been asked by the OPCW and the United States to contribute to the operation. 
 
Later this week, the proposal will be put to a vote in parliament. 
 
&quot;The OPCW is expected to accept a German offer to undertake the subsequent destruction of the chemical substances,&quot; the Danish government said. 
 
The UN Security Council on July 22 endorsed plans to remove Libya&#39;s chemical weapons from the country and prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists like the Islamic State group. 
 
The move came after Libya had asked the OPCW to draw up a plan for the destruction of the toxic agents that until recently had been stored at the Ruwagha depot in southeastern Libya. 
 
(AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

Along with vessels, the Danish government is also willing to offer support ship and 200 staff. Finland will also take part in the operation

The Danish government said on Monday it was willing to offer a container vessel, a support ship and 200 staff to an international operation to rid Libya of its chemical weapons arsenal. A maritime operation coordinated by the UN-backed Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) would be led by Denmark, but other countries including Finland would also take part, it said. "Denmark will once again show international responsibility by contributing very concretely to international efforts to reduce the spread of chemical weapons in the world," Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said in a statement. The Scandinavian country, which was a key player in the international operation to remove and destroy Syria's chemical arsenal in 2014, said it had been asked by the OPCW and the United States to contribute to the operation. Later this week, the proposal will be put to a vote in parliament. "The OPCW is expected to accept a German offer to undertake the subsequent destruction of the chemical substances," the Danish government said. The UN Security Council on July 22 endorsed plans to remove Libya's chemical weapons from the country and prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists like the Islamic State group. The move came after Libya had asked the OPCW to draw up a plan for the destruction of the toxic agents that until recently had been stored at the Ruwagha depot in southeastern Libya. (AFP)

Denmark offers vessels to take chemical weapons out of Libya

Libyan authorities have warned Italy about an Islamic State cell based in the Milan area with links to one of the jihadist group&#39;s battle-hardened veterans, Italian media reported today. 
 
The existence of the network was reportedly revealed by documents seized by Libyan agents after government forces took over an IS headquarters in the city of Sirte earlier this week. 
 
The Italy-based militants were said to be associates of Abu Nassim, 47, a Tunisian who lived in Italy for most of his 20s and subsequently fought in Afghanistan and Syria, before becoming an IS commander in Libya. 
 
The reports came as concerns grow that IS fighters dispersed from Sirte could cross the Mediterranean on migrant boats and mount &quot;lone wolf&quot; terror attacks on Italian territory. 
 
Security services have been put on a state of high alert for the peak holiday season and Interior Minister Angelino Alfano has stepped up expulsions of suspected jihadist sympathisers. 
 
Late on Saturday, Alfano said he had ordered the deportation of Hosni Hachemi Ben Hassem, a Tunisian imam based in a mosque at Andria in Puglia. 
 
The 49-year-old imam had been cleared of charges of recruiting jihadists but Alfano expelled him anyway on the basis of suspected incitement to racial hatred. 
 
The cleric is the ninth imam to be kicked out since the start of 2015 under a &#39;zero tolerance&#39; approach to Islamist militancy which Alfano says has reduced the risk of a terror attack on Italian soil. 
 
The centre-right minister has signed a total of 109 expulsion orders since the start of last year, 43 of them in 2016, he said in a statement. 
 
A veteran extremist 
 
Abu Nassim, whose real name is Moez Ben Abdelkader Fezzani, first arrived in Italy in 1989 to work on building sites. 
 
Suspected of trying to radicalise and recruit other Arab immigrants, he disappeared in 1997 and resurfaced in Pakistan, on his way to join the late Osama bin Laden&#39;s forces in Afghanistan. 
 
He was arrested by US forces in 2001 and held at the Bagram airbase detention facility, which was to become notorious for the torture and killing of inmates. 
 
Abu Nassim was transferred to Italy in 2009 after prosecutors tabled charges of terrorist recruitment related to his previous stay. 
 
He was acquitted in 2012 and deported to Tunisia. He was convicted on appeal the following year, by which time he was already fighting in Syria. 
 
Since 2014, he has commanded IS forces around the Libyan port of Sabratha. 
 
Tunisia issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the March 2015 Bardo Museum attack in Tunis, in which gunmen killed 21 tourists and a policeman. 
 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The existence of network was revealed by documents seized by Libyan agents after government forces took over an IS headquarters in Sirte

Libyan authorities have warned Italy about an Islamic State cell based in the Milan area with links to one of the jihadist group's battle-hardened veterans, Italian media reported today. The existence of the network was reportedly revealed by documents seized by Libyan agents after government forces took over an IS headquarters in the city of Sirte earlier this week. The Italy-based militants were said to be associates of Abu Nassim, 47, a Tunisian who lived in Italy for most of his 20s and subsequently fought in Afghanistan and Syria, before becoming an IS commander in Libya. The reports came as concerns grow that IS fighters dispersed from Sirte could cross the Mediterranean on migrant boats and mount "lone wolf" terror attacks on Italian territory. Security services have been put on a state of high alert for the peak holiday season and Interior Minister Angelino Alfano has stepped up expulsions of suspected jihadist sympathisers. Late on Saturday, Alfano said he had ordered the deportation of Hosni Hachemi Ben Hassem, a Tunisian imam based in a mosque at Andria in Puglia. The 49-year-old imam had been cleared of charges of recruiting jihadists but Alfano expelled him anyway on the basis of suspected incitement to racial hatred. The cleric is the ninth imam to be kicked out since the start of 2015 under a 'zero tolerance' approach to Islamist militancy which Alfano says has reduced the risk of a terror attack on Italian soil. The centre-right minister has signed a total of 109 expulsion orders since the start of last year, 43 of them in 2016, he said in a statement. A veteran extremist Abu Nassim, whose real name is Moez Ben Abdelkader Fezzani, first arrived in Italy in 1989 to work on building sites. Suspected of trying to radicalise and recruit other Arab immigrants, he disappeared in 1997 and resurfaced in Pakistan, on his way to join the late Osama bin Laden's forces in Afghanistan. He was arrested by US forces in 2001 and held at the Bagram airbase detention facility, which was to become notorious for the torture and killing of inmates. Abu Nassim was transferred to Italy in 2009 after prosecutors tabled charges of terrorist recruitment related to his previous stay. He was acquitted in 2012 and deported to Tunisia. He was convicted on appeal the following year, by which time he was already fighting in Syria. Since 2014, he has commanded IS forces around the Libyan port of Sabratha. Tunisia issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the March 2015 Bardo Museum attack in Tunis, in which gunmen killed 21 tourists and a policeman. (AFP)

Libya warns Italy about 'Milan-based' Islamic State cell?

Relatives of two men killed in the 2012 attack on a US consulate in Libya have filed a lawsuit blaming the deaths on Hillary Clinton&#39;s &quot;reckless&quot; handling of classified information in her private email server. 
 
While secretary of state, Clinton conducted official government business on a private server at her home, which critics say exposed official US correspondence to possible hacking attacks from foreign governments and terror operatives. 
 
The FBI concluded last month that the Democratic presidential nominee had been &quot;extremely careless&quot; with classified information on her server, but nevertheless declined to recommend criminal charges against her over the scandal. 
 
US authorities ended their probe into the matter, but Clinton&#39;s political enemies have been trying to keep controversy over her email server alive, including linking it to the attack in Benghazi nearly four years ago. 
 
Parents of two American security agents at the consulate in their wrongful death suit filed yesterday against Clinton allege that terrorists were able to determine the men&#39;s whereabouts because of her use of a private server. 
 
The assault on the US consulate, which occurred while Clinton was secretary of state, killed four Americans in all, including Washington&#39;s ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens. 
 
&quot;It is highly probable, given defendant Clinton&#39;s history of reckless handling of classified information, that defendant Clinton, as secretary of state, sent and received information about ambassador Christopher Stevens and thus the US Department of State activities and covert operations that the deceased were a part of in Benghazi, Libya,&quot; said the text of the lawsuit filed in the US district court in Washington, DC. 
 
&quot;As a direct result of defendant Clinton&#39;s reckless handling of this classified, sensitive information, Islamic terrorists were able to obtain the whereabouts of ambassador Christopher Stevens and thus the US State Department and covert and other government operations in Benghazi, Libya and subsequently orchestrate, plan, and execute the now infamous September 11, 2012 attack.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The wrongful death suit alleges that terrorists were able to determine the men's whereabouts because of her use of private server

Relatives of two men killed in the 2012 attack on a US consulate in Libya have filed a lawsuit blaming the deaths on Hillary Clinton's "reckless" handling of classified information in her private email server. While secretary of state, Clinton conducted official government business on a private server at her home, which critics say exposed official US correspondence to possible hacking attacks from foreign governments and terror operatives. The FBI concluded last month that the Democratic presidential nominee had been "extremely careless" with classified information on her server, but nevertheless declined to recommend criminal charges against her over the scandal. US authorities ended their probe into the matter, but Clinton's political enemies have been trying to keep controversy over her email server alive, including linking it to the attack in Benghazi nearly four years ago. Parents of two American security agents at the consulate in their wrongful death suit filed yesterday against Clinton allege that terrorists were able to determine the men's whereabouts because of her use of a private server. The assault on the US consulate, which occurred while Clinton was secretary of state, killed four Americans in all, including Washington's ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens. "It is highly probable, given defendant Clinton's history of reckless handling of classified information, that defendant Clinton, as secretary of state, sent and received information about ambassador Christopher Stevens and thus the US Department of State activities and covert operations that the deceased were a part of in Benghazi, Libya," said the text of the lawsuit filed in the US district court in Washington, DC. "As a direct result of defendant Clinton's reckless handling of this classified, sensitive information, Islamic terrorists were able to obtain the whereabouts of ambassador Christopher Stevens and thus the US State Department and covert and other government operations in Benghazi, Libya and subsequently orchestrate, plan, and execute the now infamous September 11, 2012 attack." (AFP)

Parents of Benghazi victims file lawsuit against Clinton for 'reckless' handling of classified information

Residents of a Libyan town have buried the decomposing bodies of 21 migrants who had washed up on their beach after authorities failed to act, an NGO and medics said today. 
 
The first bodies were spotted on the beach of Al-Maya, just west of the capital Tripoli, on August 2, said a statement from a civil society association in Wersheffana district where Al-Maya is located. 
 
It said in a statement that over the next three days more bodies washed up on the beach, bringing the total to 21, and that they were in an &quot;advanced state of decomposition&quot;. 
 
&quot;The residents became increasingly scared this could spark diseases and epidemics,&quot; it said. 
 
The Libyan Red Crescent in Janzur, a suburb of Tripoli, were informed of the situation and dispatched staff to Al-Maya, said its chief Hussam Nasr. 
 
&quot;We went there to retrieve the bodies and to lift DNA samples,&quot; said Nasr. 
 
&quot;We also tried to get in touch with the authorities to secure a permit to bury the bodies to no avail and the bodies remained on the beach for three days,&quot; he said. 
 
Concerned by the &quot;health hazard&quot; decomposing bodies could pose, residents decided not to wait anymore for an official permit and took matters into their own hands, he said. 
 
On Saturday they buried the unidentified bodies in a cemetery in Al-Maya, where a Muslim funeral service took place. 
 
People smugglers have taken advantage of the chaos gripping Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi to boost their lucrative business. 
 
They cram migrants into boats that are small and unsafe for the perilous journey to Italy just 300 kilometres (190 miles) from Libya&#39;s shores. 
 
Thousands of migrants try each year to make the sea crossing but many drown. 
 
A total of 4,027 migrants and refugees have perished since January trying to flee wars and poverty looking for a better life mainly in Europe, the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday. 
 
Of that total, some 3,120 died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, including 120 who drowned off Libya&#39;s coastal town of Sabratha at the end of July, it said. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

Residents buried 21 dead bodies washed up on Al-Maya beach that were in 'advanced state of decomposition' after 'authorities failed to act'

Residents of a Libyan town have buried the decomposing bodies of 21 migrants who had washed up on their beach after authorities failed to act, an NGO and medics said today. The first bodies were spotted on the beach of Al-Maya, just west of the capital Tripoli, on August 2, said a statement from a civil society association in Wersheffana district where Al-Maya is located. It said in a statement that over the next three days more bodies washed up on the beach, bringing the total to 21, and that they were in an "advanced state of decomposition". "The residents became increasingly scared this could spark diseases and epidemics," it said. The Libyan Red Crescent in Janzur, a suburb of Tripoli, were informed of the situation and dispatched staff to Al-Maya, said its chief Hussam Nasr. "We went there to retrieve the bodies and to lift DNA samples," said Nasr. "We also tried to get in touch with the authorities to secure a permit to bury the bodies to no avail and the bodies remained on the beach for three days," he said. Concerned by the "health hazard" decomposing bodies could pose, residents decided not to wait anymore for an official permit and took matters into their own hands, he said. On Saturday they buried the unidentified bodies in a cemetery in Al-Maya, where a Muslim funeral service took place. People smugglers have taken advantage of the chaos gripping Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi to boost their lucrative business. They cram migrants into boats that are small and unsafe for the perilous journey to Italy just 300 kilometres (190 miles) from Libya's shores. Thousands of migrants try each year to make the sea crossing but many drown. A total of 4,027 migrants and refugees have perished since January trying to flee wars and poverty looking for a better life mainly in Europe, the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday. Of that total, some 3,120 died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, including 120 who drowned off Libya's coastal town of Sabratha at the end of July, it said. (AFP)

Libyans bury decomposing bodies of migrants near Tripoli

libya

Libya, News on Libya, stories on Libya, articles on Libya, Libya stories at Wion, Libya news, Libya latest news