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The international community hopes that positive strides on the negotiating table will help open up a political roadmap towards stabilising the situation and restoring “black gold” production activities in the oil powerhouse nation. The meeting, expected to take place in Ghadames, located some 465km southwest of Tripoli, marks a turning point in both politics and the battlefield of Libya as the two participating sides all show their determination to enforce a permanent ceasefire. This is the first face-to-face talks held in Libya since the self-declared Libyan National Army (LNA) forces, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, launched an offensive in April 2019 in a bid to capture the capital Tripoli. Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Stephanie Williams welcomed the warring sides’ initiation of discussions on the implementation of the ceasefire, in the context of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the LNA having achieved progress on the negotiating table. Along with the ceasefire, the situation in Libya has witnessed significant changes in recent times, with factions choosing dialogue instead of confrontation. The cessation of fighting has created conditions for ending the blockade of oil exploitation facilities and the reopening of traffic routes. Many Libyans have been able to return home after a long period of exile seeking refuge due to the conflict. Oil production activities have been resumed expecting to promptly rejuvenate Libya’s oil and gas industry, with initial production of about 800,000 barrels per day. After falling into a complicated civil war since 2011, Libya has been deeply divided with the formation of two major forces, the UN-recognised GNA backed by Turkey and Qatar, and the LNA supported by Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under the UN’s mediation efforts, the long-term ceasefire agreement for Libya, reached after recent talks in Geneva (Switzerland), is expected to help put an end to the …

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Bribery, embezzlement, money laundering and abuse of power are among the accusations leveled against dozens of Saudi princes, officials and businessmen detained in an anti-corruption probe, a Saudi official told Reuters on Monday. Eleven princes, four ministers and tens of former ministers were detained late on Saturday after King Salman decreed the creation of an anti-corruption committee chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, his 32-year-old son who has amassed expansive powers over the past two years. The new body was given broad powers to investigate cases, issue arrest warrants and travel restrictions, and seize assets. The official said billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a nephew of the king and owner of investment firm Kingdom Holding 4280.SE, faces allegations of money laundering, bribery and extorting officials. Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who was removed as head of the powerful National Guard, is accused of embezzlement, hiring ghost employees and awarding contracts to his own companies, including a $10 billion deal for walkie-talkies and bulletproof military gear worth billions of Saudi riyals. Former Riyadh Governor Prince Turki bin Abdullah is accused of corruption in the Riyadh Metro project and of taking advantage of his influence to award contracts to his own companies, the official said. Former Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf, a board member of national oil giant Saudi Aramco, is accused of embezzlement related to the expansion of Mecca’s Grand Mosque and taking advantage of his position and inside information to benefit from land deals, the official added. Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal arrives at the Elysee palace in Paris, France, to attend a meeting with French President, September 8, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Future Saudi king tightens grip on power Saudi Arabia’s future king has tightened his grip on power through an anti-corruption purge by arresting royals, ministers and investors …

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Foreign Ministry plans 13 repatriation flights for March The Saigon Times Vietnamese citizens living overseas on board a repatriation flight. During the first half of March, 13 repatriation flights will transport Vietnamese citizens home from abroad amid the Covid-19 pandemic – PHOTO: VNA HCMC – During the first half of March, 13 repatriation flights will transport Vietnamese citizens home from abroad amid the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ plan recently sent to Vietnam’s national aviation authority. Under the plan of the ministry’s Consular Department, two flights, carrying 343 passengers each, will be operated on March 5 to bring citizens from Japan and Taiwan home, local media reported. On March 6, two flights will transport a total number of 480 passengers from the Philippines and Malaysia. Another flight is set to carry 360 passengers from Singapore the following day. On March 8, there will be one flight carrying 355 passengers from the United States and one flight from France and Spain with 343 passengers on board. Between March 9 and 14, the country will operate one daily flight transporting 343 passengers from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Russia. To operate the flights after the plan is approved by the prime minister, the Consular Department suggested the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) work with airlines to map out detailed flight schedules. CAAV needs to inform the department of the schedules and relevant issues so the latter can work with Vietnam’s representative agencies overseas to execute the plan as well as notify Vietnamese citizens travelling on these flights about the plan being approved. Further, CAAV was told to urge carriers operating the flights to announce air fares, requirements for baggage, payment methods to the Consular Department and Vietnam’s representative bodies overseas. …

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