TRIPOLI: The General National Congress, which has governed violence-wracked Libya since dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow, said yesterday it will hand over legislative power to a newly elected parliament on August 4.
But hopes that the announcement would signal an end to fighting among rival factions were dashed as a more than week-long battle intensified for control of Tripoli airport.
“Monday, August 4m has been set as the date for the transfer of power... to the elected chamber,” the GNC said in a statement signed by its speaker, Nuri Abu Sahmein. The handover is to take place within two weeks as specified in Monday’s publication of the election results.
Iraq defence minister heads
to Moscow with wish list
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s defence minister flew to Moscow yesterday to ask his counterpart for military equipment, as his forces struggle to hold off a jihadist-led Sunni militant offensive, a spokesman said.
“Defence Minister Saadun Al Dulaimi left Baghdad for Moscow,” Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Askari said.
He said the minister was carrying a letter from Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki to Russian President Vladimir Putin “explaining the security and political situation in Iraq and the need to strengthen military cooperation”.
“Dulaimi will meet the Russian defence minister and other officials to urge them to provide Iraq with weapons, equipment and modern military aircraft,” Askari said.
Canadian charged over Syria fighting
OTTAWA: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced terrorism charges yesterday against a 25-year-old Canadian for allegedly traveling to Syria to fight alongside Islamist fighters. The charges against Hasibullah Yusufzai, 25, are the first ever laid against a Canadian under a new law passed last year that criminalised travel abroad for the purpose of terrorist activities.AFP
