Libyan Ceasefire Signed in Moscow, Russian and Syrian Fighters in Tripoli, January 14, 2020

Libyan Ceasefire Signed in Moscow, Russian and Syrian Fighters in Tripoli

January 14, 2020


Turkish-backed Syrian fighters, file, January 13, 2020

Schools to open doors in Tripoli following announcement of the ceasefire

Libya Observer, January 14, 2020 - 13:35

Written by: SafaAlharathy

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, Adel Jumaa, announced during a meeting with the education observers in the municipalities of Tripoli on Monday, the resumption of classes in all public education institutions starting from Wednesday.

According to the directives of the ministry, all schools are to resume studies at all levels, starting from Wednesday, except for the Municipality of Abu Salim, which will hold further consultations with its mayor on the possibility of resuming studies in its schools.

The meeting will also asses the status of all schools and the possibility of resuming studies in the date indicated, according to the media office of the Education Ministry.

Leaked ceasefire agreement terms include a line of battle between Libyan conflict parties

Libya Observer, January 13, 2020 - 21:30 Posted in: News

Written By: AbdulkaderAssad

A leaked paper of what seems to be the draft ceasefire agreement that Libya's Presidential Council signed on Monday and Khalifa Haftar will sign on Tuesday, if he did, includes a commitment by the two sides to a line of battle on all frontlines.

The terms of the agreement, if true, say both parties should, with the support of Turkey and Russia, start an open-ended ceasefire and halt of hostilities, reiterating they should preserve Libyan sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The draft includes a reiteration that there is no military solution in Libya and that only an intra-Libyan and inclusive solution can settle the crisis.

"All offensive actions should cease and all parties should start deesclation in all areas." The draft adds, saying they should ensure safe access, delivery, storage and distribution of humanitarian assistance to the people in need in the country.

A 5+5 military mission, as per UNSMIL's proposal, should be mandated to specify the area of the line of battle of contact, observe the implementation of the ceasefire and ensure it is holding.

The Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj and his delegation have signed a ceasefire agreement at indirect peace talks in Moscow on Monday, while Khalifa Haftar and his delegation agreed on it but pushed the signing till Tuesday morning, according to a press conference for Turkish and Russian Foreign Ministers following the talks.

Al-Sarraj signs Libya ceasefire in Moscow, Haftar wants till Tuesday to make up his mind

Libya Observer, January 13, 2020 - 21:11 Posted in: News

Written By: AbdulkaderAssad

During the talks that lasted about eight hours, mediators Russia and Turkey urged the Libyan rivals to sign a binding truce to end a nine-month-old war that was initiated by Haftar's forces.

"Today we can report that some progress was made," Sergey Lavrov told reporters at the 19th century Moscow mansion where the talks were held.

While Cavusoglu told reporters Haftar wanted to have until Tuesday morning to make up his mind.

Russia's TASS news agency reported that Al-Sarraj had refused to engage in direct talks with Haftar, forcing Russian and Turkish diplomats to act as go-betweens.

The Moscow talks come after a ceasefire, initiated by Turkey and Russia, saw a lull in heavy fighting and air strikes on Sunday.

Putin admits Russians are fighting in Libya

Libya Observer, January 11, 2020 - 21:00 Posted in: News

Written By: AbdulkaderAssad

The Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that Russian mercenaries are fighting in Tripoli, saying they don't represent the interests of Moscow and are not getting paid by the government.

In a joint press conference with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday, following their meeting in Moscow, Putin said there are many mercenaries in conflict zones including several fighters, according to him, who were transferred from the deesclation zone in Syria's Idlib to Libya.

Putin added that he hopes the warring parties in Libya would commit to a ceasefire at midnight on January 12 as per the proposal he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made days ago.

He added that after the ceasefire starts in Libya, there will be more talks with the two sides of the conflict.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin will host peace talks on Libya amid calls by Russia and Turkey for a ceasefire, hoping calls will receive positive cooperation from the Libyan parties.

Likewise, Putin said it's about time to hold peace talks on Libya in Berlin, saying the conflict in the country should end and the fighting in Tripoli should be ceased.

https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/putin-admits-russians-are-fighting-libya

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Shipped by Turkey from Syria: 14 Turkish-backed mercenaries killed in Libya battles

SOHR, 14/01/2020

The Syrian Observatory sources reported that three mercenaries operating under the banner of the Turkish-backed factions of the so-called “National Army”, were killed today in the ongoing battles in Libya.

The sources added that the fighters who were killed, belonged to “Al-Hamzat” factions. Meanwhile, information was reported about the killing of others.

Accordingly, the number of fighters who have been killed in military operations in Libya rose to 14. the killed fighters belonged to the factions of “al-Mu’tasim Division, Sultan Murad Division, Suqur Al-Shamal Brigade and Al-Hamzat”.

SOHR obtained information about the fact that the Turkish-backed factions operating in Libya, carry out field executions against the persons they capture during battles near Tripoli.

In the same context, a new batch of nearly 100 fighters have been arrived in Turkey in order to be prepared for being taken to Libya soon.

On January 10, SOHR monitored the arrival of the bodies of Syrian mercenaries in the “National Army” factions, who volunteered to fight in Libya. The Observatory sources confirmed the killing of seven fighters (four of al-Mu’tasim Division and three of Sultan Murad).

Sources informed the Syrian Observatory that Turkey promised the relative of the fighters who were killed in Libya, of a large compensation for two years and other inducements.

The Syrian Observatory has learned that the Turkish Forces are working to settle situations of prisoners within the areas they recently controlled in East Euphrates, including prisoners accused of dealing with the Syrian regime or formerly dealing with the “Islamic State” Organization.

Turkey is granting these mercenaries the Turkish passports, as well as inducements and $2,000 monthly salary.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights learned on the 8th of January 2019 that some 260 fighters including a captain of Turkish-backed factions, went to Libya to fight alongside the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord forces. Sources confirmed that the fighters are all from the “al-Sham Corps” faction, and mostly from Homs city, also 300 fighters of “al-Sham Corps” are being prepared to be transferred after several days to Libya.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored on the 5th of January 2019 that SOHR sources documented the killing of the first Syrian fighter of those sent by Turkey to Libya, in the ongoing battles in the Libyan capital “Tripoli”. He was killed while fighting in the side of the “Government of National Accord”.

According to information obtained by SOHR; the killed fighter is a member of “Sultan Murad” which is one of the most prominent factions among those sent their fighters to join the war in Libya.

The factions will keep the incident a secret, and will announce the death of the fighter as if being killed in the battles of North Syria, SOHR sources reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has been still keeping pace with the developments of Turkey’s plan to transport Syrian fighters to Libya to engage in the ongoing war there. SOHR sources have confirmed that nearly 1000 mercenaries have been already sent to the Libyan territory. Meanwhile, about 1700 recruits are undergoing training courses in the training camps in Turkey.

Also, the recruitment has been continuing widely whether in Afrin or the controlled areas of “Euphrates Shield”.

On December 30, SOHR sources confirmed that the number of conscripts that have been arrived in the Turkish camps to undergo training courses exceeded 1600 mercenaries of the fighters within the Turkish-backed factions of Sultan Murad, Suleiman Shah, and al-Mu’tasim Division.

They were transported from Afrin area after registering their names, at the time when the registration of more fighters widely continues, which means that the operation continues, despite the great focus on it politically and on media.

It is noteworthy that the conscription of mercenaries is a crime according to the international conventions issued by the UN before about 30 years ago.

http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=152905

Turkey’s recruitment of mercenaries: Nearly 1,000 Syrian fighters arrive in Libya and 1,700 in training camps in Turkey

SOHR, 05/01/2020

SOHR sources documented the killing of the first Syrian fighter of those sent by Turkey to Libya, in the ongoing battles in the Libyan capital “Tripoli”. He was killed while fighting in the side of the “Government of National Accord”.

According to information obtained by SOHR; the killed fighter is a member of “Sultan Murad” which is one of the most prominent factions among those sent their fighters to join the war in Libya.

The factions will keep the incident a secret, and will announce the death of the fighter as if being killed in the battles of North Syria, SOHR sources reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has been still keeping pace with the developments of Turkey’s plan to transport Syrian fighters to Libya to engage in the ongoing war there. SOHR sources has confirmed that nearly 1000 mercenaries have been already sent to the Libyan territory. Meanwhile, about 1700 recruits are undergoing training courses in the training camps in Turkey.

Also the recruitment has been still continuing widely whether in Afrin or the controlled areas of “Euphrates Shield”.

On December 30, SOHR sources confirmed that the number of conscripts that have been arrived in the Turkish camps to undergo training courses, exceeded 1600 mercenaries of the fighters within the Turkish-backed factions of Sultan Murad, Suleiman Shah and al-Mu’tasim Division.

They were transported from Afrin area after registering their named, at the time when the registration of more fighters widely continues, which means that the operation continues, despite the great focus on it politically and on media.

It is noteworthy that the conscription of mercenaries is a crime according to the international conventions issued by UN before about 30 years ago, which criminalize the conscription of mercenaries training of funding them.

http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=152282

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